Greensburg merchants' Holiday Open House includes 'stocking exchange' benefiting shelters

Visitors who shop in downtown Greensburg this Sunday will have the opportunity to get a treat in return for providing a practical holiday gift for neighbors who are in need.

Fifteen businesses will welcome shoppers and diners noon to 5 p.m. Sunday during the town’s 55th annual Holiday Open House. Most of those merchants also will be participating in a charitable “stocking exchange,” a new feature this year.

During the event, kids can head to the Schultheis Brothers building at 125 S. Pennsylvania Ave. to meet Santa and tell him their holiday wishes. Parents can snap shots of the kids against a holiday-themed background provided by the Petagogy pet supply store.

Kids can donate a pair of socks or cash in exchange for a small stocking filled with treats provided by the Greensburg Business and Professional Association, also known as Shop Greensburg.

“If a child doesn’t have any socks, we’ll have a supply available for them to donate, so they can still get something from Santa,” said Amy Beeghly, president of Shop Greensburg.

At participating stores, adults can donate socks or cash to be entered in a chance to win a stocking filled with items from that merchant. Winners of the stockings will be announced on Monday.

Socks and funds that are received will be distributed to two area shelters, Welcome Home in Greensburg and The Union Mission near Latrobe.

“We wanted to do something to give back and to encourage people to engage in a different way than they have in the past,” Beeghly said of the sock donations. “Socks are the number one item that is needed, from what we’re told.”

A gift-wrapping service will be available for $1 per package at DV8 Espresso Bar & Gallery, 208 S. Pennsylvania Ave., and a disc jockey will be along the avenue, spinning Christmas songs.

“We want to get everybody in the spirit,” said Beeghly.

The event is supported by sponsor Scott Electric.