The Shepherdstown Daycare Center opened “Santa’s workshop,” to parents in need last week.

The local daycare held its annual “re-wrap” gift event just in time for the Christmas holiday.

DaycareDdirector Melissa Holman described the re-wrap as an opportunity to “bring Christmas,” to those who may not otherwise get to celebrate.

Holman said donations of gently used and new toys and children’s clothing made the event possible.

Members of the community, the daycare’s board of directors, parents of students and even a local Daisy troop , all contributed to this year’s event.

According to Holman, of the center’s 80 families, between 50 and 60 participated this year.

She explained that each participating parent is awarded a voucher for gifts and may shop for as many items as they want or need totaling the amount of their voucher.

Gifts that may normally cost $10 or $15 dollars at the toy store are sold for a nominal cost.

“They can buy things for maybe $1 or 50 cents,” she said.

The daycare assesses need and bases voucher amounts on it’s sliding tuition scale.

Lower income families recieve the the highest voucher amounts.

“We have families who fall on the lower end of the scale and the higher,” Holman said.

“For some families, they wouldn’t be able to provide a Christmas for their children.”

“It is really exciting to be a part of making that possible,” she said.

The “re-wrap,” is one of many events held throughout the year by the daycare.

Now in its 40th year of operation, Shepherdstown Daycare is currently accepting applications for enrollment.

The daycare’s yearly fundraising efforts also continue.

Donations for specific items the daycare is in need of, can be made by visiting www.32auctions.com/organizations/10031/auctions/10972.

For additional information about the daycare visit its homepage at shepherdstowndaycare.org, or contact Melissa Holman at 304-876-6923.