Store caters to neediest

What do CONSERNS-U Christmas Store volunteers and Santa's elves have in common?

Both keep busy the whole year preparing for the season of giving -- and both are still eager to wrap presents that will help make children's Christmas wishes come true.

Although the CONSERNS-U Christmas Store in Rensselaer will be open only from Dec. 11-13, Christine Nealon, director, said her "countless volunteers" began collecting and crafting goodies for the giveaway a year ago. The store serves poor people by offering them items they otherwise could not afford.

Donations

"People have been absolutely wonderful about donating hand-made clothing like knitted and crocheted mittens, hats, scarves and sweaters as well as smaller gift items, which we use as stocking stuffers. But we could still use quite a few toys in the $10 to $20 range," said Mrs. Nealon.

Gift suggestions range from board games and puzzles to dolls, stuffed animals and other interactive toys shown on TV and in store catalogues.

"If it's something your own child or grandchild would like," she said, "the children served by CONSERNS-U will like it, too!"

Ecumenical effort

CONSERNS-U is an acronym for Community Network of Schodack, East Greenbush, Rensselaer, Nassau and Sand Lake United. The Christmas store is a branch of the larger CONSERNS-U organization, based at St. John's parish center. Some 250 families, including 800 children, are served by CONSERNS-U each year.

An employee of Albany Catholic Family and Community Services, Mrs. Nealon works closely with volunteers from a variety of churches throughout the area, explaining: "CONSERNS-U is interdenominational both in terms of the volunteers who help us and the clients we serve."

Among the organization's most dedicated supporters are residents of the senior citizens' centers in Nassau and Rensselaer. "They knit for us all year long, and make the most beautiful items for our families!" Mrs. Nealon said.

Store for poor

The store, which will officially open for business on Dec. 10, is expected to close Dec. 13. There is, however, a possibility that it will re-open for a time on Dec. 14. "Whether we open three or four days this year will depend completely upon the number of calls we receive," Mrs. Nealon explained.

Every child under the age of 12 served by the store is entitled to one new toy in the $10 to $20 price range as well as a stocking stuffer and some hand-knitted items.

(There is no need to wrap gifts prior to bringing them to the CONSERNS-U Christmas Store. However, donations of wrapping paper, ribbons and tape are appreciated. The CONSERNS-U Christmas store is inside the First Baptist Church on Washington Avenue in Rensselaer. Christine Nealon asks that donors and clients call her at 463-8571 before stopping by.)

(12-05-96) [[In-content Ad]]