Rehoboth Christmas Shop set Oct 9, 10, 11 to benefit local charities

Now in its 53rd year, the Rehoboth Christmas Shop continues its mission to raise much-needed funds for Sussex County charitable organizations. The Christmas Shop will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9 and 10 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Rehoboth Ave. Admission is just $1.

Presented by the Episcopal Church Women of All Saints’ Church in Rehoboth Beach and St. George’s Chapel in Harbeson, the Rehoboth Christmas Shop has given 100 percent of the event's profits back to community. Olly Wolf, ECW president and Christmas Shop Chair explained, “There is no greater motivation than the gratifying feeling of giving to a community whose many organizations offer food, financial assistance, resources for employment, after-school programs for underprivileged children and more. While Rehoboth is an upscale resort, not all who live here are affluent.” With that in mind, the Episcopal Church Women work diligently to raise as much money as they can to meet the community’s needs.

Last year’s Christmas Shop beneficiaries included the Community Resource Center, The Cape Henlopen Food Basket, Meals on Wheels, West Side New Beginnings, The Way Home, Camp Arrowhead Scholarships, Boys and Girls Club, Crisis House, Home of the Brave I and II, Immanuel Shelter, Just Sooup Ministry, West Rehoboth Land Trust, Southern Delaware Hospice, Cancer Support Community, Episcopal Relief and Development and the All Saints’ Episcopal Church Clergy Discretionary Funds.

A large part of the Christmas Shop proceeds are generated by the Gala Preview Party to be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8 as a festive kickoff of the three-day weekend event. The public will have an opportunity to shop early while enjoying cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres donated by 18 restaurants from Dewey Beach, Rehoboth and Lewes. Tickets to the party are $30 at the door.

Along with a variety of visiting shops offering shoppers unique gift choices from in and out of Delaware, the Episcopal Church Women create crafts, collect second-hand treasures, bake desserts, cook their signature chili and serve it in a sit-down café. In addition there will be two raffles featuring one bundle of twenty-four local restaurant gift certificates worth over $1000 and a hand-sewn, prize-winning, double-sized quilt called Sea Rose, done in pastel colors. For more information, call 302-227-7202 or go to www.allsaintsandstgeorges.org.