Cool Stuff
Want to get your Christmas shopping done early, please everyone on your list and help families in need in our community? Shop Merry Market 2017 October 20-21 at the Gardendale Civic Center. You will find great gifts from unique vendors while supporting Just Keep Smiling (JKS), a local ministry that assists families who have children in medical crisis.
Be sure to stop by and visit with Amy Choran and the staff at Junky 2 Funky. Their display will be loaded with great gift giving ideas including unique items by local artists: home décor, lake décor, vintage, holiday, clothing and a large variety of one-of-a kind special pieces to set you apart!
Tina Florence’s Adorned Boutique will also be on-site with the latest looks for your fall and winter wardrobe. This local women and teen Christian based boutique specializes in fashionable and trendy clothing from small to 2XL plus jewelry, accessories and gifts.
Special events happening at the Merry Market include “Cookies with Characters” Saturday from 10-Noon. Children will have the opportunity to converse and have pictures made with Dory, Nemo, Mickey, Minnie, Elsa, Olaf and Anna. Plus, there is a visit from Santa on Friday 10am-Noon and Saturday 12:30-2pm.
And before you leave, don’t forget to stop by the Merry Market Cafe and Amazing Sweet Shoppe to enjoy some delicious treats!
The ministry of Just Keep Smiling was born from the experiences of three women in our community, Patrice Brooks, Debra Cook and Sue Jeffreys. All three women know what it is like to live with tragically losing children or having a child with a life-threatening illness. Twelve years ago, they established the non-profit JKS that seeks to assist families with critically ill children by providing financial aid for immediate needs, emotional support based on personal knowledge of a child’s serious illness or death, and spiritual insight that conveys the solace, grace and strength found in God. JKS works with a network of social workers at area hospitals to identify families with such needs during their time of medical crisis with a child and/or children. Learn more at www.justkeepsmiling.org †
