MITCHELL — The holiday season came to life for local children in Mitchell on Saturday, as they were given the chance to shop for Christmas gifts for their parents, relatives, and friends at the annual Shopping for Kids event.
The event, which has been a tradition in the community for over three decades, was sponsored by Mitchell Main Street and Beyond and hosted in the Masonic Hall.
The shopping area bustled with excitement as young shoppers, aided by volunteer “santa’s helpers,” carefully selected gifts from booths filled with homemade gifts by area vendors, all priced at $10 or less.
Designed for children aged 12 and younger, the event allows them to shop independently for holiday gifts for their parents, relatives and friends. After shopping, the kids are offered free gift wrapping, ensuring the presents are ready for the big day. This year, the event featured 10 booths, all excited to share their crafts with the community’s youngest shoppers.
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This was Natasha Foster’s second year as a vendor at the event. Foster showcased her handmade jewelry. Her booth featured earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and keychains crafted from beads, clay, and resin.
“I love talking to the kids,” Foster said. “They are so excited and giggly. It’s amazing to see them take their time, pick out something they think their family will love, and then walk away with that feeling of accomplishment.”
Foster recalled her own childhood memories of shopping at the event with her grandmother during the holidays, which inspired her to participate in the event.
“It was always so much fun to pick out special things for the people I loved,” Foster said. “I want to give these kids the same chance to feel that joy and excitement.”
Joyce Weinberg has been a vendor with her husband Rusty at the Shopping for Kids event for 20 of its 31 years, and for them, it’s all about making the holiday season special.
“We do it solely for the kids,” Weinberg said.
Their booth featured a mix of retail items and homemade wooden signs with heartfelt messages like “I love you,” “Dad,” and “Grandma.”
Weinberg recalled a moment from a previous year when a young girl, sent with just $10 to buy gifts for 10 family members, found herself struggling to stretch the money across so many gifts. When she reached the Weinbergs’ booth, she only had $4 left, and yet she still wanted to buy presents for the remaining family members on her list.
“The girl told us she didn’t have enough money for the items she wanted,” Weinberg said. “But I told her, ‘You pick out the gifts for your family, and give me what you have.’ She tried to give us more change, but we told her the bill was paid. That thank you—that’s all it takes to fill my heart.”
With no grandchildren of their own, the Weinbergs love connecting with children at the Shopping for Kids event each year and spread joy during the holiday season. They have previously supported the local angel tree programs, sometimes taking on as many as 60 tags to help families in need.
“Shopping with kids is a great way to get more personal,” Weinberg said. “The kids will come up and tell us who they’re shopping for, and I’ll make suggestions. They get into it and will agree, saying ‘Oh yeah, my dad would like that.'”
Over the years of setting up shop at the shopping event, they’ve developed a bond with many of the kids who return, watching them grow and change. It’s that personal connection that keeps them coming back to the event year after year.
“It’s wonderful to see some of the kids year after year,” Weinberg said. “Their personalities change, their facial features change, but the excitement in their eyes when they shop never does.”
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The event’s success relies heavily on community involvement. Local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts serve as Santa’s helpers, along with other groups like DWU students. Women of the Moose provided free gift-wrapping services.
Parents and family members waited in a separate room, enjoying refreshments provided by the Masonic Ladies, while their children shopped independently.
Jeannette Behrend, a Mitchell resident, brought her four daughters to the Shopping for Kids event so they could pick out gifts for each other. Behrend said her 2-year-old daughter, August, had a blast shopping with her dad instead of an elf.
“She danced to the music the entire time she was shopping,” Behrend said.
Behrend’s two oldest daughters, both 11 years old, also had a great time and were especially impressed by the extra touches that made the experience feel special.
“They loved the bows the gift wrappers put on the gifts,” Behrend said. “It’s amazing that they do this for families.”
It’s the willingness of those who host booths that is essential for creating a memorable experience, said Elizabeth Luczak, Event Manager for Mitchell Main Street and Beyond.
“It’s the Christmas spirit and the generosity of our vendors and volunteers that make this event so special,” Luczak said. “We are so grateful for our vendors. They help make the event memorable for the kids, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Luczak noted that the event continues to evolve but still stays true to its roots.
“This event is a tradition that brings our community together. It’s a way for kids to experience the joy of giving and shopping for the ones they love.”
With vendors like Foster and the Weinbergs continuing to return, the tradition is sure to keep growing.
“The best part of the event is seeing the kids’ excitement and knowing we’re helping them create lasting memories,” Weinberg said. “It’s all for the kids, and that’s what makes it so worth it.”
Jennifer Leither joined the Mitchell Republic in April 2024. She was raised in Sioux Falls, S.D. where she attended Lincoln High School. She continued her education at South Dakota State University, graduating in December 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. During her time in college, Leither worked as a reporter for the campus newpaper, The Collegian. She also interned for Anderson Publications in Canistota, SD the summer of 2000. Upon graduation, Leither continued to reside in the Sioux Falls area and worked as a freelance writer for the Argus Leader for a number of years.
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