South Jordan residents can attend the Giving Grinch Christmas Boutique from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the South Jordan Community Center, 10778 South Redwood Road. 

People are invited to spend the afternoon shopping, and every dollar spent will go to help the Giving Grinch charity. Sheena Rose organized the Giving Grinch in 1996 after she was inspired by a classmate, and it became an official nonprofit organization last year.

“Now I’m registered with the state to be a nonprofit organization. Before, I just did it through family and friends,” Rose said.

When Rose was in high school, she had a classmate whose mother passed away. This boy told her that he wasn’t going to have a Christmas that year, and Rose was deeply moved by his story. 

“His mom had just passed away, and so his aunt had him. He told me that he didn’t have a Christmas tree, and his aunt said Santa wasn’t going to come this year. I was 17, and I went out and bought him Christmas,” Rose said. “That’s how it started.”

Now a mother of two children, Rose teaches her kids about the importance of giving back every day. Rose’s daughter Gentry, 13, is trying to get her junior high school involved in helping the Giving Grinch this year. 

Sadly, Rose’s son Kolten, 11, was recently diagnosed with cancer, but he helps out when he can.

“My kids help out a ton. They love it,” Rose said. “For me, it’s my natural high. I love the feeling of giving back. I love knowing that I’m helping somebody.”

All of the vendors at the boutique pay a booth fee of $75, which goes entirely to the Giving Grinch charity, and there will be about 30 booths. The Giving Grinch will also have its own booth at the event, and 100 percent of the proceeds of everything they sell will be donated. 

After the Giving Grinch Christmas Boutique, Rose will continue to collect coats, toys and monetary donations until Christmas time. Everything that the Giving Grinch collects will go to  families in  Utah Valley that can’t afford Christmas this year.

“People can go on our website (thegivinggrinch.org) to nominate families that need help for Christmas. Then I have a team of board members who help choose the families,” Rose said. “Last year, we were able to provide Christmas for 37 children, and this year our goal is to provide for 50 children. That’s my hope.”