Nothing says Christmas quite like gift wrapping for Beaches-area residents.
Gift-wrapping “elf” volunteers are returning to the Beaches area for the 13th consecutive holiday season to raise funds to benefit the 18,000-plus North Floridians impacted by multiple sclerosis.
The 12 days of gift-wrapping begins Saturday, Dec. 13, and runs through Christmas Eve. Located at South Beach Regional Mall in Jacksonville Beach, daily hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Look for the wrappers in front of Hallmark, Five Below and JCrew.
All donations support the local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, providing programs and services for North Floridians impacted by the disease.
“The holidays wouldn’t be the same if our volunteers didn’t provide area residents with the annual goodwill service,” said Ponte Vedra Beach resident and 26-year Society volunteer Linda Bushong-Reid. “Some people dream of a white Christmas; locals are just as satisfied having their gifts wrapped and given special attention.”
All supplies are donated annually by Five Below, Hallmark and the local Bike MS cycling team Big Bananas. The 25-person team has been the Society’s top fundraising team for 16 straight years.
Volunteers wrap all gifts, from any store, including those purchased online.
Said Bushong-Reid, “We've had repeat customers call us from out of state in the summer to make sure we would be there in December to wrap for them. We like to think they're getting as much enjoyment out of our service as we are providing it.”
For large multi-package wrapping, an overnight concierge service is provided. Schedule a time either at slowride36@gmail.com or phone 904-982-6510.
