The Salvation Army seeks volunteers for Gift Wrap Store

Volunteers at the Salvation Army Gift Wrap Store want to wrap your gifts. The store, located at the east end of Central Mall near J.C. Penney, is open from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday until Dec. 24.

“Domestic Violence Prevention, Inc. used to have it but they haven’t had it in two or three years. It was offered to us and we decided it would be a good opportunity for us to supplement income for our Angel Tree program and other our other social programs we offer throughout the year,” said Sann Terry, corporate and community relations for the Salvation Army.

Salvation Army officials hope to bring in $5,000 by wrapping gifts.

The store offers convenience to holiday shoppers who can have presents wrapped in brightly colored paper decorated with hand-made bows.

“They’ve picked out pretty paper and bows,” Terry said. “We have three size packages— small, medium and large … and I think our prices are moderate. People can continue shopping while we do the wrapping. We’ll give them a ticket and they can come back later and pick their gifts up.”

People who are having presents wrapped at the store will be treated to free coffee or hot chocolate.

The Gift Wrap Store is manned by volunteers.

“We need volunteers. We have about 28 volunteers signed up. There are all different hours available for people who’d like to volunteer,” Terry said.

Volunteers can receive some training but prior gift wrapping experience is a plus.

“They’re willing to train whoever, but it’s helpful if they’re good gift wrappers. Some of the gift wrap volunteers had been volunteered for Domestic Violence Prevention. We did receive some of those people, and that’s a good thing,” Terry said.

Having the store available to mall shoppers has been well-received.

“Everybody that’s been coming in missed it being there. It’s the convenience … and in the end it helps us. All the monies made go back to social programs in the community. It all stays in Texarkana,” Terry said.

People interested in volunteering can call Brenda Britt at 870-774-2701.