Gezellig wraps presents for JCARL

Gezellig Brewing Company took getting into the holiday spirit a step further when they decided to have an event where people could donate to the Jasper County Animal Rescue League (JCARL) and in return they would wrap their Christmas gifts for them.

The idea came from Kim Huffman, the events coordinator for Gezellig. She does many things for the company including food trucks scheduling, renting out the space or organizing other programs such as classes.

“Any classes that go on here I arrange for those ... I arrange for any vendor to come in,” Huffman said.

The event took place across three separate Sundays at Gezellig.

“I love wrapping presents and I didn’t know people didn’t,” Huffman said.

This brought Huffman to the realization that if she decided to put it out there that she would wrap gifts if people were to donate to JCARL. The event itself raised more than $100 dollars to go to JCARL.

“It went pretty well I think,” Huffman said. “I just had a can out and it went right to JCARL.”

There were people who brought in a few gifts to be wrapped for the event but Huffman recalled an individual who brought with them a little tote that was full to the brim with gifts for Huffman to wrap.

“Some lady brought a tote in she pulled it in she’s like ‘I’m really sorry’ and I said I’m not,” Huffman said.

This event brought more than $100 to be donated to JCARL and the hopes and plans Huffman said is to make this event an every year thing. Even though the event only occurred across three Sunday’s it was enough for Huffman to have a favorite moment.

“I love the lady who came in with a tote,” Huffman said.

This isn’t the first time Gezellig has done an event to support JCARL. Huffman mentioned they did a hot dog cookout after the Fourth of July Parade in Newton which brought in a lot of people and funds for JCARL.

“We had people lined up after the parade ended ... There were people lined up all the way to the end of the block,” Huffman said.

JCARL receives a lot of support from the community it resides in and Huffman thinks that it is important to give back to the community and this gift wrapping event was a good way for them to give back.

“I had fun but it is also a great way to raise a little money for JCARL as well as get the community involved,” Huffman said.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com