The Waterloo Jaycees Annual Holiday Gift of Giving event (formally known as the Christmas Shopping Tour) is the chapter’s largest youth based event.  Designed to take 90 at-risk children in the Cedar Valley shopping to purchase holiday/Christmas gifts for their family, the event encompasses the true spirit of the Waterloo Jaycees, to give.

The Annual event targets at-risk children from all backgrounds across the Cedar Valley – from broken homes, foster children, handicapped children, academically challenged, those battling illness and the financially disadvantaged.

The Gift if Giving event could not take place without the generosity of Blain’s Farm & Fleet.  Blain’s supports this excellent cause by providing a venue for this occasion, by opening their doors early specifically for the children, and by providing a discount on all merchandise purchased by the Waterloo Jaycees.  Last year alone the Waterloo Jaycees spent over $2,090 on this annual project. 

The day begins by gathering volunteers and children at the United Auto Workers (UAW) Hall Local 838 (2615 Washington Street, Waterloo) at 6:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of December.  This year’s event will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2008.  Volunteers are needed to help shop with the children who are selected to participate in the event. At 7:00 a.m. Blain’s Farm & Fleet will open its doors for our group only and then the children will begin the fun part of the day, shopping.  By 8:30 a.m. all volunteers and children will arrive back at the UAW Hall to wrap gifts and enjoy a hot breakfast.