Shop 'til you Drop!

When it comes to birthdays or holidays, a hand-made gift from a child will always carry a special place in the hearts of parents and grandparents. While that warm and fuzzy feeling can be great, sometimes children want the feeling of buying something for a loved one.

That’s where Bridge Street Bargains and their annual Kids’ Shopping Day comes in.

For the past several years, the all-volunteer thrift store has hosted a day where students from Saratoga Elementary School are able to shop for family members. Regardless of the item and regardless of the tag on the item, students will get to purchase one item of their choosing for only a dollar. All they need is their dollar and their coupon.

“We’re very fortunate that the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) at the elementary school is the one that does the coupons for us. Each coupon is for $1 and every young person has their coupon for $1. They can come and choose anything in the store for that buck, no matter what it is,” said Judy Hamel, president of the Bridge Street Bargains Board of Directors. “We take their coupon and then PTO reimburses us.”

According to Hamel, it’s “all hands on deck” during Kid’s Shopping Day and the group of volunteers spend the day as personal shoppers for the waves of students. While, for some students, it may be something they’ve become skilled at, for others it’s an exciting new adventure.

“We’re here to help them learn how to shop,” said Lori Erheart, a member of the Bridge Street Bargains Board of Directors.

That means teaching students to keep in mind whether an article of clothing is the right size for a parent or if a piece of jewelry is someone’s taste. Of course, students may not be shopping for a parent or grandparent, but for a sibling. No matter the family member they are shopping for, the ladies of Bridge Street Bargains are on hand to help.

The shopping event is something the volunteers appear to enjoy. They also understand that it can provide an opportunity for students to do something they may not normally have to purchase a gift for a family member.

This year, the Kid’s Shopping Day will take place on December 11, starting at 8:30 a.m. and running until 3:15 p.m. with each class spending approximately 45 minutes at the thrift store. A total of 144 kids will be shopping throughout the day. As that date approaches, Bridge Street Bargains is asking those who’ve put off their spring, summer or fall cleaning to consider some winter cleaning instead.

Now is the ideal opportunity to donate clothes, jewelry, art work, appliances or anything else which has been taking up space or collecting dust at home. While all items donated to Bridge Street Bargains are able to find a home, and the proceeds are given out as grants to other non-profit organizations, a donation now would have a more immediate impact for the students of Saratoga Elementary School.