When children are free to choose gifts, no one knows what is wrapped under the Christmas tree for parents and grandparents to find out on Christmas morning. Of the 120 children shopping for free at Sulphur's Care Help store on Saturday, 3 children chose a wire basket, herbivore and a complete set of white utensils.

"Four years ago, Care Help participated in the Walmart 360 program," said Jody Farnum, Director of Care Help of Sulfur. "Walmart gave us everything we returned. This is new, but not necessarily what the low-income families we help come to us looking for. We can't sell it."

At that time, she had the idea of ​​allowing her children to shop for their parents.

Farnham said: "I remember when my dad gave me $20 and then sent me to pick a gift for my parents, I was very happy."

She didn't stop there. Farnum decided to throw out the kind of family gatherings that people with no disposable income can afford. They are low-paying parents, grandparents who raise their grandchildren, single parents who enjoy their children, and families who have just spent their savings on car repairs or replacing electrical appliances. She has heard of real needs, and some well-arranged stories, knows the difference and "likes" them.

"So many people are only one salary short of being homeless," she said.

In the preparation process, the staff cleaned an area of ​​the warehouse, carefully cleaned and decorated.

"They are coming to our house," Farnham said. "We want everything to be perfect."

Because every child buys two gifts for everyone they want to buy-some people take time to choose, change their minds, put something back, choose again, read the entire store twice, and still can’t decide what to put in the carriage ——Parents can enjoy the live music of Grammy Award winner Joel Sonnier and Louisiana Yard Dogs. Since the inaugural event, Sanier has provided entertainment every year.

This year, the Sulphur Rotary Club provides and supplies gumbo soup. Marilyn’s Food and Event Center offers and serves potato salad. Becky's Catering provides and supplies biscuits, hot chocolate and coffee. Jerry Goza of Raising Canes provides and serves tea and lemonade. Tellurian provided a 5 x 7 photo of Santa Claus taken by a professional photographer, a silver frame placed in it, a teddy bear for children, and a building block game for each family to promote family time.

After the children had finished shopping, the gifts were wrapped. Then they turned into a winter wonderland in the warehouse with their parents, looking for food and photos. Help the staff to load the gift into the vehicle.

"I bought you a necklace," a 7-year-old child blurted out to her mother, unable to suppress her excitement for a minute, let alone another 14 days.

Will other kids talk about microwave ovens, Instapots, lit Christmas carousels, clothes, photo frames, fishing gear, tool boxes, fishing rods, 8-quart stainless steel soup pots, sequin pillows, Michael Kors wallets, or hundreds of other gifts before December 25 Not the priority of the event.

Before the first children entered the shop, Jody Farnum assembled her troops, and finally choked with tears of joy.

"Last year, a child chose a wedding dress so that her mother could marry her father. We asked her mother if it was okay. Yes, they got married. She wore that dress. So, you never know what will happen. If You see a child who needs shoes, socks, and coats, we want to know," she said. "When there is a need, you can expect children to be honest. If they don't have a Christmas tree and you find it, we can help. When you are not busy shopping, please get to know these people. They are part of your community," she To volunteers from Cypress Cove and Immaculate Conception, Care Help board members, staff and volunteers. "And remember this. This is your chance to have a conversation with your child's life."   

Care Help in Sulfur is more than just a store offering light-use items. Its mission is to express God's love through ministry by providing short-term assistance and improving life skills to those in need.

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