Here is a great idea:
BIG FLATS -- Many holiday shoppers dread the idea of wrapping gifts, but Teresa Smith of Corning loves it.
In fact, Smith devotes several hours each Christmas season to wrapping gifts for total strangers.
Smith is among an army of volunteers who man the American Cancer Society gift-wrapping booth at Arnot Mall in Big Flats.
"I enjoy it, for one thing. I'm retired and I think it keeps you young by volunteering," Smith said. "I like to wrap. I've been doing it for five or six years. I signed up for eight (shifts) this year."
The American Cancer Society could use more people like Smith.
It takes 400 to 500 volunteers to keep the booth running because it's open seven days a week during the holiday season, said Louise McIntosh, the society's community executive for Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler counties.
For a donation of $1 to $5, depending on the size of the package, harried shoppers can let Cancer Society volunteers handle the wrapping.
Those donations, in turn, help fund a myriad of programs and services.
"It goes for patient services, research programs, transportation and things like free wigs for chemotherapy patients," McIntosh said.
The American Cancer Society could use about 200 more volunteers to ensure that its Arnot Mall booth is staffed throughout the shopping season, McIntosh said. Shifts are about four hours and volunteers can sign up for one shift or as many as they want.
Pat Schooler of Big Flats helped man the booth Sunday along with her daughter, who volunteered as part of a high school health class project.
"I encourage anyone to come out and volunteer. There's still a shortage," Schooler said. "It's a great way to teach kids how to volunteer and give to the community.
By Jeff Murray •jdmurray@gannett.com • November 29, 2009
