It IS the gift that counts

For the last several years, the Pine Grove Library has hosted a holiday sale for students to shop for their friends, family, teachers or for themselves.   This is not an unusual concept for many schools.   

But, the PGLIBRARY has a different spin and it's an event fueled by creativity and collaboration...

• all items are donated
• all items are regifts, upcycled, or nearly new
• all items are .25....no matter how big or small!
• wrapping paper and greeting cards are FREE
• the sale is run by students (iStaff) for students

Our inventory ranges from jewelry to stuffed animals to glassware to games and scarves and holiday decorations and everything in between.  

Each year I worry that we will get "enough" inventory, each year I wonder if kids will come and each year I am in awe by the support, enthusiasm, and priceless moments we enjoy.   

Friends and staff members declutter their lives while stocking our shelves.  Word travels quickly, our shelves get filled and soon the lines form with shoppers!         

 Students come on a mission...on a quest to find the perfect items on their budget. They come with lists, with baggies of change, with an envelope with ideas.   

They buy items for their secret Santa events, for their teachers, and for those they hold dear to their hearts.   

They painstakingly wrap and get help from others to do the same. They make plans to meet their siblings so they can shop for the family together.  They ask to stay after school to have extra time to shop.


They agonize, they ask about putting items on hold, they check daily for new inventory.   They ask opinions about what their mom would like, they envision a small serving dish as a place for their sister to put their jewelry or a lunch box as a great storage case for gaming equipment.

They scheme and plan and disguise items so that they can get home with their gifts without their surprises being unveiled!   They beam with pride that they've amassed gifts for their entire family for 3 or 4 dollars!    They make a plan to wrap gifts when their parent is at work or at a game or after they go to bed.   

I overhear stories about what Mrs. or Mr. so and so would like because "he always talks about that" or "you know she gets creeped out by that" or "I bet she would love this for her daughter" as they shop for teachers and staff.

Teachers often buy gift certificates for their students and find ways that all have a chance to shop.   Many a deal gets made so no one leaves without a chance to get what they need to do a good deed for others.

iStaff students handle promotions, the cash register, wrap gifts, and stock inventory. They also serve as a personal shoppers as they make recommendations, give suggestions, or point out overlooked items.   

Like any worthwhile event, it takes planning and teamwork and a willingness to take a chance.  I am grateful to our donors and supporters who make it work.  There's no overhead other than time and volunteers, so the stress of "making enough" is a non-issue.   
This year we made almost $300.  The profits are nice, but the opportunity to give students a chance to pay it forward truly is priceless and a great reminder about what matters.  

Some may say it's not the gift that counts...but when you witness the pride and joy wrapped up in their shopping, I beg to differ.