MARQUIS ETC Christmas Gift Drive - Come see what's new this week - December 22, 2020

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I have owned an antique shop in Auburn for 17 years now, over 12 years in Old Town. For many years I was the Vice President of the Old Town Board Association and I have to say that this sleepy little town has definitely given more to me than I have taken from it. I try to give back as much as I can. I usually donate my time to the Salvation Army cooking and serving food for the holidays but this year I wanted to make a bigger contribution.

I remember the day in late November when the thought of a gift drive for a local senior home occurred to me. I often do a little run/walk thru Old Town Auburn in the mornings with my dog, Sir Gnarls Underfoot. We like to run the Auburn Courthouse steps and lately I had been seeing a homeless man sleeping at the top of the steps. So this day I decided to bring a blanket in the hopes that he was there and I could cover him. It was getting so cold in Auburn. Luckily he was there and I said “I’m just going to put a blanket on you” and I laid it over him. It was such a rewarding feeling. I felt lit up inside. So when I got home from my walk I decided I wanted to do more giving so I called the Rock Creek Care Center and arranged to supply gifts for all 46 seniors this Christmas. Lisa Wille, from Rock Creek, was kind enough to send me a little wish list for each senior with specific items they wished for. Through the generous donations of my customers, friends and family, I was able to provide multiple gifts for each senior. I am also gifting a television, Christmas cards for all, and over 50 pairs of socks.

I couldn’t have pulled this off without the generous donations of the following Christmas elves who generously gave this year to help me make this Christmas blessing come true. Suzanne DeVinna, Lisa Ford, Debi DeVinna, Stephanie Arino, Katherine Hilden, Jen Earnhart, Ivy Castro De Barker, Kara Gaylor, Gary Marquis, Tina Wade, Sue Rowe, Mary O’Brien, Barbara Bosworth Mackenstadt, Charlene Williams, Arlene Hernandez, Kelley Vestal Neff, Laura Douglas, Alison Sweetser, Robyn Beers, Linda Robinson, Emily Faubion, Amanda Petty, Andrea Williams, Kelley Bailey, Lisa McNabb, Kelley Von Zboray, Jeff Wibberley, Greg Millar, Brittany Louwaert, Javier Caraballo, Bobby Nelson, Diane Daney, Suzanne Gailey, Chuck Shaver, Dave Holtzinger and Craig Ahlswede.