Church Hosts 'Holly Jolly Santa Shop'

DULUTH- First Covenant Crossroads Church held its 4th Annual Holly Jolly Santa Shop for kids Friday. Over 200 children from the Lincoln Park area came to shop at no expense to get gifts for their family.Last year, over 180 children participated.This event allows children to be able to give gifts to others and not only worry about receiving.The church members collect and purchase gifts over the whole year, and kids are guided by elves to shop and wrap the gifts for others."Sometimes these kids don't always have that one-on-one with an adults that isn't their family member.  When someone else takes an interest in them and gets down to their level that's when they really crack those shells," said Pam Franklin, a nurse at the church.The parents waited upstairs with hot chocolate and cookies while their kids shopped for that perfect Christmas gift.