The Waterloo Jaycees Annual Holiday Gift of Giving event 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) as early as 6:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of December. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, December 3, 2011. 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 breakfast.

If you are interested in volunteering, we need your help. Over 50 volunteers are needed to help chaperone and shop with the children as well as help prepare and serve breakfast. Please see the attached Volunteer Information Page for further details.

For more information about the Gift of Giving please contact the 2011 Chairperson, Cheryl Meller at 319-404-1316.

Volunteer your time!

If you are interested in volunteering, we need your help. Over 50 volunteers are needed to help shop with the children as well as help prepare and serve breakfast. Please see the below Volunteer Information Page for further details.

Kids Helping Kids

Kids Helping Kids is a program created by Blain’s Farm & Fleet, which teaches children the importance and beauty of giving to others in need. Through this program, parents register their children to win gift cards at Blains. Then, on behalf of the winning children, Blain’s Farm & Fleet donates a matching dollar amount to charity. Since 2004, the Waterloo Jaycees have assisted Blains Farm & Fleet through choosing a worthy organization in our area and then using the matching dollars to purchase items from Blains that will benefit that organization. Some of the organizations that have received these gifts since the Jaycees have been involved are:

• Children of Military families over seas
• Cedar Valley Hospice, The Eucalyptus Tree program
• Department of Human Services, Foster Care Program

Thanks to Blains Farm and Fleet for letting us to help with this heartwarming cause.

“In 2006 the Waterloo Jaycees partnered with Blains Farm and Fleet’s Kids Helping Kids Program. The Waterloo Jaycees chose the Department of Human Services, Foster Care Program as a program that is deserving of the $300 gift card from Blains Farm and Fleet. The gift card was used to purchase backpacks and stuffed animals/books for children who are removed from homes in an emergency situation. Thanks to Blain Farm and Fleet for helping us touch the hearts of those in need”

View our thank you from
Stacy Baranowski – The Eucalyptus Tree, A program of Cedar Valley Hospice