The Wakefield Holiday Shop is a non-denominational local program to help parents who find it difficult to meet their children’s everyday needs and to bring holiday cheer to their children during this season. Parents who have children in Wakefield can shop free of charge.
New this year, the 2020 Holiday Shop will be held at the Wakefield Senior Center located at 30 Converse St. The Holiday Shop will operate under strict health and safety guidelines due to the Covid-19 virus. Gifts will be distributed on Saturday December 5th and Sunday December 6th from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Donations Needed for the Wakefield Holiday Shop
Donations will be accepted at the back of the Senior Center on Friday December 4th from 5:00 pm until 8:00 p.m.
Unwrapped gifts may also be dropped off during school hours at the Health Office at any Wakefield Public School by Friday December 4th . Donated gifts must be new or never used. Gifts may include warm winter clothing (hats, mittens, sweaters) as well as toys and games suitable for infants, toddlers, children and teens.
Using the Holiday Shop
New Guidelines for participating in the 2020 Holiday Shop:
This year’s model will be a “grab and go”
Parents will park in the back of the Senior Center.
Parents must remain in their car and wear a mask when interacting with volunteers.
Volunteers will check the driver’s license to confirm Wakefield residency.
Volunteers (wearing masks and gloves) will give parents a form to fill out requesting their name and phone number as well as the age, gender, and clothing sizes for their children
Parents may also write any specific requests on the form (i.e., pajamas, gift cards, sports equipment, warm winter clothing, etc.). However, volunteers cannot guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled.
Each form will be numbered and a matching number will be given to the family in order to keep track of their order of arrival. This number should be placed on the front windshield to enable volunteers to identify your car.
Volunteers will collect information sheets and bring them into the Senior Center where they will be used to help choose appropriate gifts for the children.
Bags filled with gifts will then be returned to parents waiting in their cars. Rest assured that volunteers will do their best to provide appropriate gifts and will be as generous as possible.
This system will allow for social distancing and protect the health of volunteers and families. All volunteers will be wearing masks at all times and frequently sanitizing their hands.
Requirements to use the Holiday Shop
Proof of residence
Utility bill
Proof children attending school
Children not attending school copy of birth certificate