Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Cedar Creek Lake United Methodist Church Reverend Kristin Rockwell (left) said, ”This is so much fun. I am grateful that the school lets us come and share this with the kids.” The boutique was a dream of Rockwell’s and with the help of church volunteers and Principal Brandi Sutton the dream has continued for three years. 
 

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Abigail Larsen (left) gets her Mother’s Day gift wrapped by volunteer Debra Bruno at the Unique Boutique presented by Cedar Creek United Methodist Church May 8.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Shopping at the Unique Boutique Mariella Solis has discovered a beautiful bracelet for her mother May 8. 

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Kathaleen Donoghue (left) gives Aleigha Gibson advice about a necklace she is looking at for her mom. Cedar Creek Lake United Methodist Church volunteers assist students in the search for the perfect gift at the pop up boutique May 8.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Bransen Junell is happy with his shopping at the Unique Boutique. The church collects costume jewelry and sets up the free pop up boutique for students to shop for Mother’s Day.

TOOL‑Cedar Creek Lake United Methodist Church Reverend Kristin Rockwell had a dream. Three years ago, she shared her dream with Tool Elementary Principal Brandi Sutton, it was at that time her dream became a reality.
Rockwell said, “This was a dream of mine for about ten to fifteen years, to be able to gather costume jewelry, that we have in our homes and that we do not wear anymore. Do a free boutique where kids come and shop for their moms. They have the chance to be the giver of a gift instead of the recipient and really know what that kind of joy in giving something is.”
To begin the project Rockwell said, “We went to the principal of Tool Elementary School Brandi Sutton and said we have this idea, would it be okay? Sutton is always up for things that bless the kids.”
Suzie Helm was introduced as the jewelry queen, Rockwell said, “I asked her if she would help. She absolutely loves jewelry and has good organizational skills, so I asked if she would help coordinate this and she has done a beautiful job for three years. She put together a team that collects jewelry for a few months in the spring.” According to Rockwell the team sorts the jewelry, sets up the boutique in an empty classroom at Tool Elementary school and provides bags for the children to decorate and use as a gift bag. During the school day, students come to the boutique to shop. Team members help the children shop to find the perfect gift. After each child has shopped the jewelry, it is then wrapped in tissue paper and placed in the gift bag by one of the team members, just like a real boutique. Everything is free and this year each child was able to select three items.
Rockwell continued, “I know that the kids enjoy being able to give a gift, but it really is a blessing for us as well. It is wonderful to be here and to get to see and watch the kids, help them pick things out. This is so much fun. I am grateful that the school lets us come and share this with the kids.”
Costume jewelry can be donated for this event. Just drop it off at Cedar Creek Lake United Methodist Church in Tool.