Area children will have the chance to create various gifts for those on their Christmas list at a Community Christmas Buildshop.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Clarion University – Venango, West First Street, Oil City.
The free event is for children ages 3 to 12 years old and is open to everyone in the community.
“We wanted to bring back the days of past where it wasn’t all about Black Friday sales and the latest greatest toys, but a time where kids built their gifts with love and joy to give to their friends and families,” said Jerry Burns, who is a member of the leadership team organizing the event.
“Our local churches place a great deal of value in celebrating the joy and love of Christmas and wanted to come together to share this joy and love with the community and, hence, the Community Christmas Buildshop was born,” he said.
This is the second year for the event which had more than 100 attendees last year along with many volunteers, according to Burns.
The buildshop will feature a jewelry station with necklace, bracelet and anklet projects, wooden toys including cars, trucks and more, a create-your-own Christmas card station, a homemade wind chime project and many others.
When asked what the favorite projects were from last year Burns said, “as far as favorites it’s a very tough call with all the amazing ideas that these churches bring to the buildshop.”
Burns promised that there will be even more projects than last year.
“I’m sure there is something there for every child to build,” he said.
Pizza and desserts will also be provided.
“The free pizza and free desserts are also a big hit and are available for children as well as adults who attend,” Burns said.
There will be an opportunity for children to listen to Christmas stories being read to them.
“I am so amazed to see how much time and energy many of the volunteers and churches put forth in order to make this a family-fun free event and if you think the kids have smiles you should see some of these adults,” he added.
“Children will be building gifts with joy and love to give those they hold dear, and who could put a price on that?,” Burns said.
