CRESTVIEW — Many people either start their holiday shopping or catch last-minute bargains on Black Friday. This year, Lifepoint’s Kids Mart at 998 S. Ferdon Blvd. joined in the fun.
The store sells new and gently used items for babies, kids and teens. Items include clothes, shoes, toys, nursery items, car seats and blankets at bargain prices. Proceeds help hundreds of local children in foster care.
“Kids Mart was started in the Shriners Building about eight years ago by a local woman,” Crestview resident Lisa Brennan, the store’s director, said. “I purchased Kids Mart about four years ago. We held pop-up sales about five times a year in the area. I kept all donations stored at my house.”
A year ago, the store merged with Lifepoint Church, where Brennan and her husband, Tim, are members. In July and September, the store held sales in the church gym. They raised over $10,000 in four days; all proceeds went to local foster children.
Lifepoint Church and the Rev. Mark English leased a building on South Ferdon with the Brennans for Kids Mart. The lease was finalized Nov. 3 and the Brennans and volunteers spent the past few weeks fixing up the building.
“Pastor English has already said that if things go well, we will move on to a bigger building,” Brennan said.
Kids Mart became a charitable organization for local foster children two years ago, according to Brennan, who said her best friend, Shirley Hayes, always helped with Kids Mart before she died from cancer.
“I thought that the best way to honor her and the children was to have all the proceeds go to local foster children. All of the angel wings you see in our building are in honor of her. We take foster children under our wings,” Brennan said.
Lifepoint’s Kids Mart accepts donations, consignments and volunteers year-round.
The Brennans’ daughter, Lauren Simmons, helps, along with her 5-year-old son, Xavier, who passes out candy canes. Brennan’s close friend, Christina Stjean, and Bobbie Barlow and her daughter, Charlotte, also volunteer.
Hours are Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Helping children 365 days a year