Can shopping bring peace and joy? This John Knox Village event proves it’s possible

Finding just the right gift for everyone on your holiday list can be challenging. But seniors living in a skilled nursing facility often face additional obstacles when it comes to traveling to and navigating local stores, as well as selecting and wrapping presents.

Thanks to a generous community and a number of volunteers, the John Knox Village Care Center brings the holiday shopping experience to its residents at a popular annual event.

The Holiday Store, offered for more than 20 years at the care center, is open for one extraordinary day in early December and features decorations, festive music and a department store-like arrangement of gifts. Volunteer sales assistants and gift wrappers are also available to help residents with their selections.

“The Holiday Store is really a magical event for our Village Care Center residents,” said Gail Benne, president of the John Knox Village Foundation, the charitable organization hosting the special activity. “Everything is free, and people donate really nice items that are brand new or very gently used.”

This year’s Holiday Store took place on Dec. 6 with the help of around 10 Village Foundation ambassadors volunteering to assist with gift selection and wrapping. Close to 70 shoppers, the majority of the center’s residents, participated in the special event, held in one of the facility’s family rooms.

“People donate all sorts of items, from clothing and trinkets to candy to pictures,” said Mark Salvatore, Village Care Center activity manager. “We have a little bit of everything.”

Benne, who has helped at the Holiday Store for approximately 10 years, said the event is one of her favorites at the Village.

“Every year it warms my heart when I see the residents shopping,” she said. “Many ask, ‘Are you sure this is free?’ They just can’t believe that we are doing this just for them. We’ve had all sorts of things donated, including Amazon Alexa devices, jewelry, clothing, toys, purses — just a wonderful variety of items.”

John Knox Village has been located in Lee’s Summit for more than 50 years, with close ties to many citizens and organizations.

“The Holiday Store is really all about building community, both within and outside the Village Care Center,” Salvatore said. Donations come from Village residents, employees and other Lee’s Summit residents.

“Our residents love being able to shop, just like they did in years past. Finally, seeing our residents’ faces light up when they find that perfect something for a daughter, son, grandchild is so rewarding.”

For Village residents unable to leave their rooms and visit the Holiday Store, a cart stocked with goodies and gifts makes a stop at their rooms to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Sue Ridings, a Village resident and Foundation ambassador, volunteered at the store for the first time this year.

“Some of these people aren’t able to get out and shop on their own, so we can be their hands and feet as they pick out their gifts,” Ridings said.

“I’ve seen grandmothers get gifts for their great-grandchildren — they’ve picked out pretty bracelets and Chiefs stuff. We have such a variety of items to choose from: socks, shoes, tree ornaments, lap quilts made by our Village quilters, puzzles. We have lots of homemade items, which is a lovely, one-of-a-kind touch.”

Village resident and Foundation ambassador Mary Ann Morris said the residents can select items for themselves, along with the gifts they chose for others.

“This is where my heart is, here in the care center,” she said. “I, we, do this for the people who have had active lives and can no longer participate in Christmas activities outside the care center. I think they really enjoy this because it’s refreshing to get out and see smiling faces and enjoy Christmas music while you are shopping and then there is someone to wrap it for you.”

Rosemary Ceynowe, a care center resident, participated in the Holiday Store for the first time this year, shopping for family and friends.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “The teddy bears are for my great-grandkids. I also picked out something to bring when I meet my girlfriends. We get together to have an exchange. We put together a stocking full of things.”