Sunday, December 17, 2000

Wrapping gifts helps sick kids

David Adame/Caller-Times

USS Inchon sailors Petty Officer 2nd Class Maria Balana (from left), Lt. j.g. Meg Reardon and Petty Officer 3rd class Rosa Perales volunteer at Wrapped With Love.

Shortly before Thanksgiving, Driscoll Children's Hospital Auxiliary got a phone call that shocked Shirley Morgan.
   Morgan, president of the auxiliary, couldn't believe that her volunteers were being offered a prime retail location in Lamar Park Center rent and utility free throughout December. And Jean Whitworth, retail coordinator for the center, had the perfect suggestion for its use - a gift-wrapping station that would help the auxiliary raise money for its many worthwhile programs.
   "I couldn't believe we could pull it together in time to open the day after Thanksgiving," Morgan said of the vacant store space that center owner, Harvie Branscomb Jr., made available to the group. "But with a lot of help from a lot of people, we did - a grand team effort all the way around."
   Open through Dec. 23, the store, called Wrapped With Love, will offer gift-wrapping services for holiday shoppers. Proceeds will help families with health care and benefit the Marcia K. Wilcox Scholarship Fund, which helps former or current oncology patients attend college.
   Gift-wrapping fees range from $3 to $8, depending on package size. Holiday gift bags, Driscoll Christmas cards and gift items are also for sale.
   "The response we've gotten so far has been great," said Driscoll gift shop manager Kathryn Kramer. "I think what most people like about coming here is knowing that it's not a regular gift shop. Everything here is helping children."
   That's what appealed to Sonya Tracy, a second-grade teacher at Woodlawn Elementary, who wandered into the store one day and was immediately drawn to the stuffed lions on store shelves.
   "When they told me I could buy one and turn right around and donate it, I thought, 'What a great idea,' " Tracy said.
   So great she told her class of 12 students about the idea the following day. A day later, all had pitched in enough money to purchase one and donate it as a group.
   Another recent customer came in toi buy and wound up asking to volunteer, Kramer said.
   "To say community response has been heartwarming would be a definite understatement. It's something you can't even put into words."