Personal Expressions will collect for Lord’s Cupboard
Amanda Peart, the owner of Personal Expressions, plays the part of Olaf Friday outside her business. On Sunday and Tuesday, she will be dressed as the Grinch as she collects donations for the Lord's Cupboard.
From Santa Claus and the Grinch to Olaf and Martha May Whovier, there will be no shortage of interesting characters roaming around Fort Dodge in the coming days. There will also be plenty of activities and a chance to donate to the Lord’s Cupboard.
From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Personal Expressions, 1214 Central Ave., will be collecting nonperishable food items for the Lord’s Cupboard. During that time, free face painting and hairstyles for young children will be offered. Christmas caroling at Veterans Park next to the big tree will occur on the hour at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m. Letters to Santa can be dropped off at Personal Expressions. “We have a mailbox inside to make sure Santa gets them,” said Amanda Peart, owner of Personal Expressions. Santa Claus will be hanging out at the Dariette, Peart said. On Tuesday, the city is hosting a Shag the Drag from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. During that time, Personal Expressions will once again be collecting donations. “All of our Christmas friends will be up on the triangle (Veterans Park) to collect food for when they turn around,” Peart said. “Santa and the mayor will be down at the Gazebo (City Square Park) with candy canes.” Peart said the holidays are a great time to have fun and give back. “I started dressing up like the Grinch about four years ago just as something fun to do for my kids,” Peart said. “I always did their hair as Whovilles and I would go into the schools as the Grinch.” When Peart opened her business at Crossroads Mall a few years ago, the Grinch became more popular. “It became a bigger event because Santa was there,” Peart said. “Last year with the pandemic and that was our first year at Personal Expressions (downtown) I wanted to have some type of event to give back to the community because I’m one of the lucky ones. I’m fortunate to have the blessings I do and wanted to give back to the community. My mom volunteers at the Lord’s Cupboard to sack up the food and that inspired me.”