With one stop, check off your gift wrapping while supporting great cause

This paid event listing is sponsored by Children’s Home Society.

It’s a holiday tradition for a terrific cause: Bring your gifts to The Empire Mall, and volunteers supporting Children’s Inn will wrap them beautifully for you.

“With 65 percent of our annual budget coming from charitable support, this event is crucial to our work,” event coordinator Staci Kropuenske said.

“Plus, it’s a fun event to volunteer at.”

After more than 20 years of wrapping, the experts here have seen it all.

“We have wrapped some really interesting things: lamps, engagement rings, even a small kayak,” Kropuenske said. “We will wrap pretty much anything. Many people wait for us to be open each year to help with their holiday wrapping.”

The booth is near the Macy’s entrance inside the mall. Click here for hours of operation.

“We have suggested donation prices based on the size of the packages,” Kropuenske added. “Many friends dig deeper, though, knowing it helps support the work of Children’s Inn.”

When you stop by, consider bringing toys, gifts, clothing or basic necessities for babies through age 17. They can be left in a sleigh near the gift wrap booth and will go to kids served by Children’s Inn. Or shop online and ship directly. Click here for a link to the needs list and online registry.

Interested in volunteering at the gift wrap booth? The schedule is full, but organizers are taking names for unexpected cancellations – and there have been several. Call 605-338-4880.

The sponsor for the Children’s Inn Gift Wrap Booth  is Blue Tide Carwash, with locations in Sioux Falls and Brookings.