The Hillcrest Christmas Shop kicked off with a store full of amazing gifts for the kids to choose from and a crew of amazing Elves to make the experience even smoother. Jillian Ursu the Head Elf at the Hillcrest Christmas Store, "Today, is the first day of the store, and so students get to come through and pick their first gift for a loved one in their family."

As for the crew of Elves, "We have about 5 or 6 volunteers working in the store today as Elves, they are wrapping, some are helping the kids shop if they are having trouble figuring out what to get their family."

Ursu expressed her feelings, "Very excited, it's awesome to see the kids coming through, and it's really good to be here at Christmas time."

Ursu shared her involvement, "I saw that they were looking for volunteers about 5 years ago, I decided that was something I wanted to do. And the last couple of years I have been the head elf. It's a lot of fun every year. Thanks to all the community volunteers, and donations. The kids have so much choice this year, it's incredible."

Savannah Lewis one of the grade 4 students at Hillcrest explains the program, "We're shopping for our friends and family, at the Hillcrest Christmas Shop. The gifts get wrapped, and they give it to us when they're done. Well, there are lots of toys here from people bringing them in, if people don't have much for Christmas. The community brings them in and gives them, there are lots of slippers, shoes, and there are lots of toys here, its cool."

This program is a great help to families through the holidays.