HOULTON, Maine — Shopping for just the right present for a parent or sibling can be a daunting task for any youngster.
Fortunately, the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post No. 47 in Houlton have been helping youths in the southern Aroostook area with their shopping needs for a number of years. On Saturday, that annual tradition continued as the “Children’s Penny Shopping Day” was held with a good crowd of kids participating.
Angie Brewer, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, said the event has been taking place for a number of years as a community feel-good event.
“We started this so kids would have an opportunity to get something small for their mom or dad, grampy or grammy, or brother and sister,” Brewer said. “It’s not really about the money.”
Jody Wellington helps wrap a package at the American Legion Post No. 47 shopping event Saturday in Houlton. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Children who participate must put their pennies into a bowl and are then given tickets used to purchase items for their parents, grandparents or siblings under the watchful eye of an Auxiliary member.
“We donate the pennies to various causes,” Brewer said. “The Auxiliary unit gives me $100 to go out and purchase items, and we get a lot of items donated to us too. Whatever is a good deal, I am on it.”
The only rule of thumb is that parents are not allowed into the shopping area, so that the gifts can be a surprise, Brewer added.
“I think the kids really love it because it gives them a chance to say ‘Look what I got for mom or dad all by myself’,” Brewer said.
