DALLAS TWP. — Six-year-old Kassidee Kapalka and her step-sister Leah Guzenski are prepared to give Santa a run for his money as they shopped for gifts at the Dallas Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization’s Holiday Shop.
The ongoing Dallas School District teachers’ strike did not deter the young holiday shoppers from participating in holiday fun, said Kim Quinn, PTO treasurer and member of the Holiday Shop Committee which sponsored the event.
“It takes a while to plan this event,” Quinn said. “We decided the Holiday Shop was for the children and we would still hold it.”
The Holiday Shop was open from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2 and 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 3 in the cafeteria of the Dallas Elementary School.
Kassidee and Leah were all smiles as they firmly grasped their white plastic shopping bags containing gift wrapped holiday treasures for their family members.
“The kids were excited to be part of the holiday shopping experience,” said Kassidee’s mother and Leah’s step-mother, Aleshia Millo.
The school’s cafeteria was temporarily converted into a mini shopping plaza with several vendors, a bake sale and craft table.
Back Mountain businesses and Holiday Shop vendors donated a total of 17 gift bags to the PTO’s raffle, Quinn said.
Items ranged from a dental hygiene basket from Walkins & Medura Family and Cosmetic Dental Center in Dallas, to gift cards from Clancy’s, Nail Etc., Hops & Barleys, Movies 14, and Mad Mallard Farm to name a few.
In the center of the room, a large booth featured a variety of items ranging from knitted hats, gloves, sports memorabilia, toys and more. Many items were priced at only a few dollars.
Becky Edmondson, a vendor representing Younique all natural make-up and skin care product company, said Friday was a very busy night while Saturday’s shopping crowd was slow and steady.
“Friday we had a huge crowd,” Quinn said. “We had at least 1,000 people.”
“Santa came on Friday, too.”
Second-grader Alexis Angelovic was excited to shop for her brother, grandparents and cousins.
The 7-year-old perused the large table picking up gift ideas for her brother and talking it over with her father, Chris Angelovic.
“She (Alexis) was very excited to come,” Sandy Angelovic, Alexis’ mother, said. “This is not her first time coming (to the Holiday Shop).”
“They have a nice selection.”
