Oak Harbor garage fundraiser a blessing for shoppers

Garage of Blessings volunteers expect to be very busy next week.

Garage of Blessings volunteers expect to be very busy next week.

Kathleen Campbell and Frances Dennis are part of the team that has been wrapping gifts and taking family portraits since the end of November.

Through Christmas Eve, volunteers with the organization will be wrapping gifts for free at the Harborside Village mall in downtown Oak Harbor.

People who need their presents wrapped can come by the mall during the following times: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Saturday, Dec. 20; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 21; 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, Tuesday, Dec. 23, and Wednesday, Dec. 24.

While the gift wrapping is free, people who feel inclined make donations are welcome do so. All proceeds benefit the Garage of Blessings.

People interested in volunteering to help with gift wrapping can visit www.thegarageofblessings.com for information.

For people wanting to have their pictures taken, family portrait sessions are $5 for 10 minutes. The backdrop for photos is a cluster of decorated Christmas trees.

People shouldn’t wait too long if they want their gifts wrapped. Both Campbell and Dennis expect to be busy next week because it’s closer to Christmas and because it’s a military payday.