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Stars and Stripes holds annual Holiday Celebration, notes good deeds all year round

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Nearly 200 local residents visited Stars and Stripes Neighborhood Market on Laurel Drive for its annual Holiday Celebration. But the market doesn’t just celebrate holidays, it also celebrates good deeds year round.

Owner Carol Charette gives anyone — children or adults — a brightly colored coin if staff hears they’ve done a good deed.

“If we see someone in this store or hear about it, we give them the coin.” He noted an example of someone driving another in need to the store.

“They can redeem it for $1 off a sub or 5 percent off any item they buy,” said Charette.

Concerning the event, he said it gets better every year. He and wife Cookie started the holiday tradition of a store party four years ago when they bought the market. Santa and his elves are a big, colorful draw, and he gives free photos of kids and pets with Santa to all that want them.

“I put them up on a window and many were so excited, they came the next day when we opened to get them,” he said.

He said he even had a few seniors from last year return vowing to get a great picture again this year.

There were several touching moments at this year’s event.

“We had one young family, with the parents in their late 20s with their children including a young baby get a great family picture. It was the first they’ve ever had,” he said.

Another moment came when Santa was asked by a child to get his parents a job this year.

In lieu of last year’s snow machine, the festivities featured a bubble machine this year.

“The kids were trying to catch the bubbles,” he said. “They loved it.”

They also sang carols, and Santa told kids to look for Rudolph on the roof.

“The one that surprised me the most was a little girl who actually cried while we were looking for Rudolph,” he said.

Patrons sang and danced and did Karaoke.

There were also drawings.

“The winning family that won the $100 shopping spree was the Butch Derby family from North Fort Myers,” he said. “They were very happy with the win.”

Charette believes in supporting the community. He was honored at last year’s event for his good work.

“He’s put up street lights in front of North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts to help keep kids safe. He also asked LeeTran to put up benches for the riders because there were no benches, and they brought benches with no cover so he put up umbrellas for the riders. He’s cleaned up the area and done other things,” said event volunteer Arlene Martin.

He also gives away turkeys every Thanksgiving, along with hams in a drawing for customers.

“A good time was had by all. It was great. We’ll see everyone next year, we do it every year,” Martin said.

The market also has a “Stars and Stripes Challenge” — on the first Sunday of every month (excluding holidays) you pay $10 to try and eat “The Bomb,” a huge specialty sandwich, in three minutes. If you win you get $100. You do need to make an appointment to be part of the challenge. Call for details.

Stars and Stripes Neighbor-hood Market is located at 1309 Laurel Drive, Laurel Estates.

“It’s a neighborhood store, we close at 8 p.m. in evenings,” said Charette.

The shop has a deli, with daily specials.

For information, call 995-5050.