The American Legion Auxiliary has been raising money all year and now it’s time for shopping to get ready for their annual children’s Christmas party.

The volunteer group plans to have more than 200 gifts ready to hand out to children at the Dec. 19 party.

Almost 180 kids had signed up for gifts as of the Nov. 5 deadline, said Marilyn Mork, past president and now secretary of the Legion Auxiliary. The party and gifts are open to newborns through age 12.

But even those who missed the sign-up deadline will receive a gift if they come to the party, Mork said. “There are always those who didn’t sign up,” and she is planning to amass a collection of 200 to 210 gifts this year.

She was busy shopping last week. “I have my husband with me,” going in and out of stores in Vancouver, Washington, while visiting her sister. The Santa crew fills two or three shopping carts, then checks out and heads to her sister’s home to pile up the haul in the living room before heading out for more.

Mork said she looks for sales and visits multiple stores, commenting that Lego sets, always popular with kids, “are not on sale this year.”

When they’re done, they will drive to the Alaska Marine Lines terminal in Seattle. AML donates the freight to Wrangell, Mork said, usually filling two pallets.

The Legion Auxiliary budgets $15 per gift. They sell any leftovers at cost to people in town.

As of Nov. 4, they had raised $3,500 of the estimated $6,000 needed for the gifts and the lunches and snacks they will serve at the Christmas party.

The fundraising has come at bake sales, rummage sales and from Wrangell businesses, Mork said, thanking First Bank and Petro Marine as consistent donors.

The Legion Auxiliary has been giving out gifts at its children’s Christmas party for 16 years, she said, adding that her daughter, Jenny, started the tradition and still helps with gifts even though she moved to Texas a couple of years ago.

The Dec. 19 party will be split into two shifts, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The auxiliary will notify parents which one to attend to ensure there is room for everyone.

And while the party is only for children, the Legion Auxiliary is checking its list and will distribute gifts to senior citizens, too.

The Senior Santa program, now in its fifth year or so, brings gifts to residents at the long-term unit of the hospital, Wrangell Senior Apartments and for seniors who don’t have family in town, Mork said.

Everyone will receive a new throw blanket and small gifts. “I’m shopping for that too,” she said last week.

Senior Santa deliveries will be made before Christmas, and Mork said the volunteers could use some help with deliveries. At age 61, she said she may be the youngest active member of the Legion Auxiliary.

Anyone willing to help can contact Mork at 907-470-0085.