RENSSELAER, N.Y. -- A local charity continued a holiday tradition on Monday of making sure every child can open presents on Christmas.

Every year, a program through Catholic Charities called CoNSERNS-U sets up a Christmas store so parents can pick out gifts for their kids for free.

Volunteers set up the gymnasium on 50 Herrick Street in Rensselaer and fill it with new toys, clothes, and games for children and teenagers. All of the gifts are separated into age groups, and parents go through the store picking out toys for their kids with a volunteer. They can also pick out books, hats, gloves and scarves.

“They know that they can have something for their children, because they haven’t got the money to go to the mall and shop or they can’t shop online. So this is perfect for them and it alleviates a lot of the stress,” said Mary Dlugolecki, a volunteer at CoNSERNS-U. “We’re doing something to make children happy.”

The store is open until 5 p.m. on Monday and opens again on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You have to bring a proof of address, income, and identification for everyone you live with.

You can call 518-463-8571 for more information.