Giving Side of Christmas

The Kinship Care children will GIVE presents this year. The children actually get to shop for gifts

for others. The idea was the brainchild of former President, Tom Mertl. He noticed the children were receiving gifts but did not have the opportunity of experiencing the "joy of giving". He started the “Giving Side of Christmas” and the event has been a huge success and had been bringing joy for 15 years.

It’s an effective concept that simulates the buying and giving experience. The children will make out a Christmas list of who they would like to give gifts to at Christmas. For each one on the list they are given a “Rotary Buck”.The Rotary buck has the picture of the current President. A personal shopper will take them to the “Christmas Store” where everything costs one Rotary buck. A volunteer wraps the presents, puts the name tags on them, and puts them in a shopping bag. The children leave with Christmas to GIVE. They are able to enjoy the complete Christmas experience.