Nicole’s gifts opens up for Christmas For Kids

For the past nine years, Nicole Van Camp has had a Christmas tradition of her own. She opens her store, Nicole’s Gifts in Verona on a Friday evening, which she calls an Open House, and a portion of the profits goes to the Verona Community Association’s Christmas For Kids campaign.

“Because I’m on the committee, I have a pretty good idea of what’s needed,” she said. “We make sure every kid gets new clothing, socks, underwear, pajamas, a toy, a book and toiletries.”

She said the open house “usually raises enough to shop for two to three children.”

And she’ll keep taking donations until Christmas.

“There’s a donation bin at the hardware store but I’m happy to take new toys, clothing, books, and toiletries here,” she said. “It frees up funds for last-minute emergencies.”

The weather wasn’t the greatest Friday night, but there were plenty of customers in the store.

“It’s been a pretty good turnout, especially considering the weather,” she said.

And she intends to keep doing it every year.

“I’ll keep doing it until the need’s not there,” she said.