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Dégagé goes digital for third year of holiday store donations

Degage Ministries

For the past couple of years, Dégagé Ministries provides a discounted holiday store for low-income shoppers to purchase presents for loved ones.

This year, the non-profit has a new, digital option available for those who want to help out.

"Our goal, with everything we do, is to provide activities and programs that foster dignity and respect," Bob Kreter, Dégagé marketing manager, says. "So we want to provide a very affordable store, so our patrons can buy gifts for their famil[ies]." 

Kreter says it’s the third year for the non-profit’s donation-supported holiday store, and its first trying out a new digital tool – the Amazon wish list. Those donating to Dégagé can now click to purchase items online to ship directly to the non-profit, instead of picking them up and dropping them off. 

Kreter says everything sold at the store is discounted for participants, who can also use Dégagé Dollars toward purchases – a program providing vouchers in exchange for performing a variety of tasks.

"It really instills dignity when someone, who’s maybe homeless and they see their family at Christmas – which may be the only time they see them that year – and they can give them a gift," he says. "That is just a good thing that we want to be able to provide." 

Kreter says the holiday store stocks – and needs – a wide variety of items: everything from games, books, pens and school-type supplies to hats, winter clothing and tool kits.

You can find the holiday list at DegageMinistries.org/wishlist, or directly on Amazon here.

The Dégagé holiday store runs December 16 and 17.

Hilary is a General Assignment and Enterprise reporter for WGVU Public Media. She joined WGVU in September 2014 after several years of experience as a local news reporter, anchor and photojournalist in Midland, Saginaw and Bay counties. She's also worked as a financial and business reporter and audio field producer.
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