The Free Market in Independence will hold its annual Christmas Gift Shop on Saturday, December 6th, from 11 am to 3 pm at the GATE Center, 122 Davis Street. The purpose of this event is to give children and their parents an opportunity to select presents for their loved ones, at no expense. The first two hours, 11 am to 1 pm, are reserved for children ages 5 through 14. Volunteer “elves” will assist each child in finding just the right gift for the three people on their list. Gifts will be bagged and tagged, and parents can meet their children at the exit. From 1 pm to 3 pm, parents, older teens and anyone else can come in to select gifts for three people. During this time, we will also have “stocking stuffers,” smaller gift items, available. Christmas cookies will be offered to all, courtesy of the Culinary Arts students at the CATE Center. The Free Market sets aside all their best donations for the gift shop. If you know a child or adult that would like to shop, please pass the word.
A project of Grayson LandCare, Inc., the Free Market is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2 except for holidays and days when schools are closed due to bad weather. Volunteers receive unwanted items (anything except clothing or books) during these hours and make them available for shoppers. There is also a medical lending library where anyone can check out a wheelchair, walker, cane, shower chair or bedside commode at no charge for as long as the equipment is needed. You can follow the Free Market on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LandCareFreeMarket .
I hope to see you in Independence on December 6th! The Independence Farmers Market will be in Town Park from 11am to 2 pm. Cooper Adams will be holding the annual Making Grayson Glow “Jeff Miller Holiday Market” from 4-7pm and the Town Parade begins at 6pm. The parade travels from Independence Elementary School to the 1908 Courthouse. It will be followed by the tree lighting with Christmas carols and kids can visit Santa. To be part of the parade, line up before 5:30 at the Independence Elementary School. To be a vendor, at the Holiday Market, call 276-237-1225.
The Free Market also organizes knitters to make hats and donates them along with stuffed animals for kids during the Food Independence Christmas distribution. It will be on December 16th this year rather than the 4th Tuesday.