Rachel Center preparing for Christmas

Categorizing all the books, puzzles, videos and more for the Rachel Center Christmas event falls into the hands of Arletta Anderson. (Baker City Herald/S. John Collins)

And she knows, with each minute she works, that she is helping the people who helped her.

“I just wish more people would help. I don’t have the money to give, but I have the time and effort,” she says. “It’s the least I can do for everything she does for me.”

She is Alberta Darlington, director of the Rachel Center, a faith-based center for women facing a crisis pregnancy, and also a resource for caregivers who need help with diapers and clothing.

The center is non-denominational, and operates almost solely on donations, and with the help of volunteers.

Fernstrom seeks help at the center while also giving back — she brings in clothing and toys her children have outgrown, and this month she’s one of the volunteers helping prepare “The Christmas Shop.”

This is the Rachel Center’s annual event that helps parents and caregivers put presents under their Christmas trees.

The Christmas Shop is open to everyone in the community. Those who come in may choose one toy and one clothing item per child, plus stuffed animals.

The Christmas Shop will be open Dec. 15-19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. If items are left over, it  will be opened again the week of Christmas.

This year’s shop will be in the former Blockbuster building, 1975 Baker St., between Main and First streets. This space is much larger than past locations, and all offerings will be divided into departments: clothing, toys, books, furniture, bedding and housewares.

Everything is donated, and everything is given away for free.

“We’re giving back what the community has been so gracious to give us,” Darlington said.

For this special event, Richell Kekelis (she owns The Quilt Maker) has made 70 fleece jackets of a variety of sizes, women from Calvary Baptist Church have supplied quilts and afghans, and Lynn Tester has cleaned and repaired countless stuffed animals and toys.

“To dress them up and make them extra special,” Darlington said.

She is thankful for all this, and every single donated item filling up The Christmas Shop.

“The help we’re getting, we’re so thankful for that,” she said. “A lot has come in from word of mouth. We’re getting donations every day.”

And they welcome more — especially “gently used” clothing of all sizes, from babies to adults.

“So that whoever comes in can find something to use right now,” she said.

The reason? She knows the economy has affected local families. During the week before Thanksgiving, six new families sought services from the Rachel Center.

“People are still losing their jobs,” she said.

But the community has responded too — just last month the Rachel Center received more than $5,000 in donations during the annual fall banquet.

Those funds help the Rachel Center provide services, such as diapers for those who can’t afford them. (The diaper bill averages $650 per month.)

As for The Christmas Shop, Darlington hopes to see an empty space when it closes.

“I hope we don’t have to pack it all up and store it again,” she said with a laugh.

Donations can be taken to the Blockbuster building or to the Rachel Center, 2192 Court Ave.

Also, volunteers are welcome to help staff the shop during the days it’s open.

For more information, call the center at 523-5357 or Darlington at 523-8876.