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Local groups lend a hand with gift wrapping

By LIANE SMITH (Contact)

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Free gift wrapping options at stores in Lee County not only provide holiday shoppers with a few extra hands preparing their gifts but also allow local organizations a chance to wrap for tips.

Saturday morning, stores such as Barnes & Noble and Bass Pro Shops had eager gift wrappers from non-profit organizations set up at tables near store exits, with cashiers letting customers know about the gift packaging.

Photo by LIANE SMITH / Banner

Jason Parrish, left, Florida Repertory Theatre artistic administrator, and Maria Petrella, scenic painter, wrap gifts for Ruth Stabel, of Estero, at Barnes & Noble on Saturday.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, department stores sold $31.7 billion in merchandise last December.

"All donations go to their organization," said Andrea Theisen, community relations manager for Barnes & Noble.

Through the holiday season, other non-profit organizations such as the Literacy Council of Bonita Springs and the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County, will also wrap gifts at Barnes & Noble, but Theisen said the bookstore could use even more volunteers.

"Anybody can wrap, as long as they donate it to a non-profit of their choice," Theisen said.

Jason Parrish, artistic administrator for Florida Repertory Theatre, wrapped recently purchased books, movies and CDs at Barnes & Noble Saturday, with fellow Florida Rep member Maria Petrella, a scenic painter.

"I think it's great," Parrish said while wrapping a gift for Ruth Stabel, of Estero. "I think it's an excellent opportunity to get your organization out there."

Petrella added: "And, it's a good way to meet people in the community."

Barnes & Noble offers free gift wrapping all year, but they open it up to local groups during the holiday season to give them a fundraising opportunity.

Both Barnes & Noble and Bass Pro Shops provide its wrappers with all of the supplies they will need to wrap customers' gifts, such as paper, tape, boxes, scissors, bows and tags.

"It's helped our customers, as well as our organizations," Janet Courtney, promotions manager for Bass Pro Shops, said.

Photo by LIANE SMITH / Banner

Debbie Ditmar, president of the Lehigh High School Golden Lightning Band Boosters, wraps holiday gifts at Bass Prop Shops in San Carlos Park Saturday.

At Bass Pro Shops on Saturday, the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County's teenage unit, helped wrap gifts, as well as the Lehigh High School Golden Lightning Band.

Erica Mayers, the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County teenage advisor, said her organization was "really appreciative" of the opportunity to seek donations while providing free gift wrapping.

"It gives the teens something to do — keeps them out of trouble," Mayers said.

According to Mayers, the shoppers are also very supportive of the organizations who gift wrap.

"They donate because they think it's a good cause," Mayers said.

Debbie Dittmar, Lehigh band boosters president, said it's hard for the high school bands to raise donations. The Lehigh marching band hopes to use donations from gift wrapping during the holidays to put toward going to Disney to perform in a night parade March 30.

"The kids enjoy it, too," Dittmar said.

At Barnes & Noble, Theisen said shifts are still available for local volunteers of non- profit groups. The shifts are four hours each and include shifts up to and on Christmas Eve. For more information on gift wrapping at Barnes & Noble in Estero, contact Andrea Theisen at 947-8724. Gift wrapping is available to customers from 12 to 8 p.m. during the week, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Christmas Eve, Barnes & Noble will offer gift wrapping and store hours until 6 p.m.

Bass Pro Shops, at Gulf Coast Town Center in San Carlos Park, will offer gift wrapping from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24. For more information, contact Janet Courtney at 461-7800.