There are only 62 shopping days until Hanukah and 72 shopping days until Christmas, but don’t panic. Just realize that it is once again time to create your list, start shopping – and find that special gift for each person on your list.

Here is a local shopping opportunity: The Metropolitan Community Club (MCC) of Montgomery County is holding its 9th annual Holiday Gift Show at the Potomac Presbyterian Church, 10301 River Road, next to Potomac Elementary School, on Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18. The hours of the show are Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This first bazaar of the season is an opportunity to find special gifts and to contribute to charities within the community.

Some of the Montgomery County charities that will benefit from the gift show are the Women’s Microfinance Initiative, Mobile Medical Care, Inc., Team River Runner, Betty Ann Kranke Center, and Nourish Now.

“Our group feels that there is a need for food and furnishings for families, help for women who are seeking jobs and good health care right here at home, so we target charities in our community,” MCC member Susan Magafen said.

The vendors offer a multitude of shopping possibilities. The show will feature jewelry, quilts, designer women’s apparel, handcrafted note cards, handmade scarves, children’s clothing, Christmas ornaments, custom handbags, Greek desserts and children’s clothing. Vendors at the show include Sweet Minerals, Silpada Jewelry, Stella and Dot Jewelry, Ibhana Creations, Tableware Arts and Crafts, Fearless Threads, Homemade Greek Sweets, American Classic Children's Clothes, Hand knit Scarves, What's in Your Heart Pendants and Charms, Handmade Christmas Ornaments and more.

Founder of Ibanha Creations, Meena Tharmaratnam, explains why she enjoys coming year after year to the MCC Holiday Gift Show: “I've participated in the MCC Bazaar for the past four years because it's my way to support community efforts. I love coming back every year because the committee members are warm and friendly and the local community comes in large numbers to support MCC’s fundraising efforts. It’s a wonderful event and I enjoy giving back.”

The Metropolitan Community Club of Montgomery County was founded as the Junior Suburban Women’s Club in 1974 under the umbrella of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, one of the largest volunteer organizations of women in the world. When most of the members became 40 years old, they knew it was time to move on as members of a General Club. However, the members wanted to remain together and thus, in 1988, they reincorporated their club as MCC. Today the club is still involved in contributing to the community. In addition to fundraising, MCC focuses on six program areas during the year: the Arts, Conservation, Education, Home Life, International Outreach and Public Issues. It also has a Book Club, a Sunshine Committee and several social activities a year.