Sussex Realtors group seeks shopping day volunteers Dec. 3

Sussex Strong, the Sussex County Association of Realtors Community Service Foundation, has raised $82,000 to help children in need in Sussex County.

This year’s shopping day will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Walmart in Rehoboth Beach. Organizers are seeking volunteers to shop and help put together new clothes, shoes and a toy for each of the kids on this year’s list of families in need.

Since its inception, the foundation has raised over $1,600,000  and helped more than 10,000 children in Sussex County.

From many local organizations, committee members collect a list of families in need. On shopping day, volunteers receive a list and purchase items for each child, prioritizing needs first. Each recipient gets a new coat, clothing and shoes. Some children also ask for toiletries and school supplies. Every child gets one toy, but the majority of what the foundation provides is to meet basic needs. Once all items have been checked off a list and placed in a shopping cart, Sussex Strong representatives take the gifts through the checkout process.

Volunteers are also needed for gift-wrapping day, set to begin at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach. Wrapping all the gifts is the final step before delivery.

Monies to help local children in need are raised each year through Sussex Strong’s November gala.

For more information, go to sussexstrong.org.