Kenilworth Union Church volunteers help low-income shoppers with Christmas shopping

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Chris Cole of Wilmette (left) and Cindy Fuller of Winnetka, became expert gift-wrappers when more than 30 volunteers from Kenilworth Union Church helped out Monday, Dec. 19, at Bethel New Life’s Christmas Store on Chicago’s West Side. | Photo by Jim Graham

More than 30 volunteers organized by Kenilworth Union Church traveled to Chicago’s West Side19, to support a program that gives low-income shoppers an affordable way to buy Christmas presents for their families.

The Bethel Christmas Store, sponsored by Bethel New Life, collects new, quality, donated goods and makes them available for purchase as gifts at sharply discounted prices. About 700 qualifying families select their own gifts and pay as little as $1, $5 or $10, typically about 75 percent off retail. Many families pay with “Bethel Bucks” earned by doing such things as getting good grades in school, taking a financial literacy class or volunteering. Christmas sale revenue helps fund college tours for high school students who have trouble paying travel expenses.

“KUC volunteers and friends helped wrap presents, served as shopping assistants and kept store displays well-stocked with inventory,” said Rev. Sarah Garcia, KUC associate minister, who helped organized volunteers. “We met many wonderful people, had a lot of fun and had an opportunity to see in action one of Chicago’s most successful community organizations.”

Bethel New Life was a leading recipient of funds from KUC’s 2011 Christmas Fund. Several new youth bicycles were donated to the sale by an anonymous KUC member and other church members donated a scooter, dollhouse and household goods. KUC was one of more than 25 church and business partners who donated gifts or sent volunteers.

“Kenilworth Union Church was in the house!” said Sara Spoonheim of Bethel New Life. “We are so grateful for how the church embraced this new approach to Christmas giving. Through the store, parents got the chance to choose gifts and contribute at a level they could afford. Shoppers were grateful to get help instead of a handout.

Bethel New Life, 4950 W. Thomas St., Chicago, a 32-year-old not-for-profit, “has equipped thousands of low-income families to start businesses, find work and housing, buy and maintain homes, attend college, nurture their families, embrace aging with dignity, and advocate for safer neighborhoods and better schools,” according to the group’s website.