Submitted Photo Chappy Windsor, left, is shown with her grandmother, Madelyn Alme, who was the inspiration for Dakota Chappy’s “Something for Mom” initiative. A former school teacher, Alme, of Minot, died in 2018 at age 95.

Christmas is around the corner, but a gift for Mom might not be under every tree. However, families and children with limited resources still have an option to ensure mothers are remembered this year.

Dakota Chappy, a Minot apparel shop, launched its annual “Something for Mom” initiative, which distributes free gift packages to children and families to give to the mothers in their lives. Although the distribution largely occurred this past weekend, store owner Chappy Windsor said not everyone might have been aware or were challenged to meet the deadline, so she is extending it even to the days after Christmas.

“It’s never over because we don’t want any mom to go without something under the tree,” she said.

As of Monday, Windsor said, she was up to 40 gift packages. For every customer who donates $20, Dakota Chappy prepares a gift valued at $60. Windsor said she has been preparing packages well beyond those covered by donations because of how strongly she feels about the importance of the program.

The concept was inspired by Windsor’s grandmother, who, despite growing up in a loving environment, faced financial challenges. One year, with no money for gifts, her grandmother creatively repurposed various household items, wrapped them up and gifted them to her children, Windsor said. When all the gifts were opened, it became clear that her grandmother had selflessly given everything, leaving nothing for herself, she said.

People can message Dakota Chappy through Facebook to obtain a questionnaire, asking about apparel size and the need for dressy or casual. The store then prepares a package of new items for the children to pick up, along with gift wrapping and a gift card.

“It’s really important that we give the kids the opportunity to actually prepare the gift because that really is so much a part of what brings abundance to someone else – that whole act of lovingly preparing something for someone,” Windsor said. “Over the years, we’ve found the kids are more excited to watch someone else open the gift that they’ve prepared than they are even to open their own gifts. When you see these kids actually be able to give something back to their moms, it’s moving. To a certain extent, they might not understand how much of a struggle things are because moms are really good at just not making it obvious. But there are some that know how hard it is for their parent.”

Dakota Chappy, at 813 N. Broadway, will have limited hours today and will be closed tomorrow, but the store has a drop box where it can leave gifts for pickups anytime. Financial donations to the program also continue to be accepted. A $20 donation covers a gift and a $3 donation supports gift wrapping.

Windsor noted Dakota Chappy runs the program for Mother’s Day as well.

Additionally, throughout the year, Dakota Chappy offers a Blessing Program that provides free items to women who need a blessing. The used items are donated by customers and refurbished if needed. Women in the program can select from a generous section of apparel and get the same personal styling attention as a paying client.

Recently, Windsor took the program to the Turtle Mountain Recovery Center to bless the women in their sobriety journey as they seek a more stable environment for their families.

She added the Blessing Program isn’t restricted to women who are struggling financially. It is meant to benefit anyone who needs a blessing.

“There are so many people that are continually blessing others, and it is important for all of us to be open to receive our blessings,” she said. “This is a program that is for somebody that needs a win. And there’s a lot of people that need a win. They just need a little kinetic energy, just a little something to remind themselves that they’re special.”