By Michelle Moskowitz
Sentinel Correspondent
’Tis the season of joy, celebration and plenty of holiday gift-giving.
While on a quest for special gifts for everyone on your list, why not shop local, where items are handmade in Greenwich and are created with incredible heart and soul by residents?
Be sure to visit The Abilis Gift Shop, part of Abilis, a non-profit organization that provides services and supports for more than 700 individuals with special needs from birth through adulthood.
The shop is located at the Abilis Greenwich headquarters at 50 Glenville Street; it has designated parking spaces for quick and easy access.
The shop serves as a retail training site where staff members instruct adults with development disabilities to work toward community-based jobs; many of the adults stay within the Abilis community, but more autonomous members can obtain work within the local community.
Ninety percent of the shop’s inventory consists of one-of a-kind gift items crafted by the very people that Abilis serves.
“The shop provides beautiful handmade gifts made by some of the most loyal and enthusiastic workers you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet,” said Dennis W. Perry, CEO of Abilis.
Items such as handmade soaps (for kids and adults), Shea butters, sugar scrubs, fragrant candles, custom gift baskets, crafted art work and unique jewelry comprise the special selection that Abilis members take pride in creating.
Handmade items range in price from $2 to $15, making them quite affordable for stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, and the like.
“It’s a beautiful place to come and see (and shop) as these beautiful ladies work so hard at what they do,” said Lisa Sylvester, manager of Abilis businesses, which also include greenhouse and property maintenance divisions, providing steady employment for many of members.
Sales from the shop go directly back into funding the many Abilis programs, such as movie nights, crafting classes and field trips, as well as salaries for the staff.
“The best part of what I do is seeing the people that Abilis cares for expand their minds and be so thrilled to be a part of something special,” added Sylvester.
Serving lower Fairfield and Westchester counties for more than 65 years, Abilis has a long-standing reputation for individualized, exceptional care for those with developmental disabilities.
Stop by the Abilis Gift Shop this holiday season, even just to say hello to some friendly faces who will gladly welcome their community members.
Store hours are Mon. through Fri. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thurs. evenings from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Abilis vision is to shape the community in which people of all abilities participate and contribute as equal citizens.
For more information, visit www.abilis.us or facebook.com/Abilisinc.
