By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Pay It Forward Store will be back in December for its fifth year — with some changes.
Founder Angela Horn has passed the leadership for the store to volunteers Heather Gray and Vickie Purdy.
The store will still take monetary donations and gifts of new and gently-used items, which families can take home for free to give as Christmas gifts.
In the past, the store has had items for both adults and children, but Gray said this year the store is going to focus on gifts for children and teens. That is what has been most requested and where the store has seen the greatest need.
The store is also hoping to raise $500 in order to apply for its official 501(c)3 nonprofit status. This will allow the group to more easily accept monetary gifts and donations from businesses.
Any money the store receives or raises in excess of the $500 will be used to purchase gifts to be given away at the store.
Gray said the store receives many toys for small children, but receives fewer items appropriate for teenagers, both boys and girls. Cash donations are used to buy gifts for this age group or to address specific needs for families.
The group will have a hot dog feed fundraiser from 3 p.m. until sold out Sunday, Oct. 20, in the parking lot of Professional Cargo Services, 724 E. Seventh. A freewill donation is requested.
The store will begin taking donations Friday, Oct. 4, at Professional Cargo Services, where they will be kept until the store opens in December in Big Creek Crossing.
Donations will be taken at that location from 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, and 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays until Dec. 15, when setup will begin at the mall.
The store is looking for toys, baby items, gaming systems, electronics, makeup, nail polish, jewelry, hair items and anything else that might be an age-appropriate gift for a child younger than 18.
Last year, the store was open though the month of December, but this year, the hours are being shortened. The store will be open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21, 12:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 22, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 23 and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24.
All gifts from the store are free. Freewill donations are accepted to help support the store. Those who use the store do not have to fill out any paperwork or meet income guidelines.
Volunteers will be needed to help with the hot dog feed, to accept donations, to set up the store and to assist at the store when it is open in December. A volunteer meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at Professional Cargo Services.
The Pay It Forward Store was started by Horn in honor of her brother, Tim, who passed away. Horn was helping individual families, but she saw a need beyond what she could do on her own.
Gray said as a volunteer she has seen many families helped through the store.
During a previous holiday, a grandmother, who had recently been granted custody of her grandchildren, was brought to tears when the store was able to provide her with a keyboard to give to her grandson for Christmas, Gray said.
“The holiday seasons are always so hard for people,” she said. “With our economy the way things are, a lot of people can’t afford to pay their bills. The holidays come around, and the little kids don’t know the difference yet. They don’t know the true meaning of Christmas, so they look forward to all of the toys and gifts.
“It gives the moms and dads and grandparents an opportunity to be able to afford all of these things … to be able to put their mind at ease and come to our store, which has open arms, and be able to make their children’s days for Christmas.”
Gray said those in need also come from surrounding counties for help.
“We don’t turn down anybody,” she said. “Anybody in need, we want them to come.”
Those who want more information about the store, volunteering or need to arrange a special drop off time for donations, can reach Gray at 785-432-3377 or through Facebook.