Fort Simpson (Jun 02/06) - On May 27, a series of tables in the Open Doors Society were filled with clothes, blankets and toys.

From tiny knit toques barely big enough to fit on an adult fist to T-shirts large enough for public school children, there was a bit of everything for children from birth to age 12. Best of all, everything was free.

Carter Rice, left, found an Incredible Hulk toy at the Open Doors Society's swap party while his brother Mason picked up a monster truck. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Welcome to the Open Door Society's first swap party.

The idea for the party came from the society's board, said Val Gendron, the society's co-ordinator.

Families around Fort Simpson have lots of stuff that their children don't need, but because there's no thrift store in town there was no way to donate and get items, Gendron said. The party was designed to address this need.

People were encouraged to bring goods like clothes and toys and also browse and take away items that others had brought.

"It's a fabulous idea," said Tracy Brown, who brought nine boxes of clothes and one box of toys to the party.

When Brown had her son Tristan Blyth a lot of people gave her clothing for him.

"His room looked like a consignment store," said Brown, because of all of the boxes of clothes.

All the clothing adds up and you have to track down people to give it to when you are finished with it, she said. The swap party made things easier. Brown came to the party to swap the baby clothes seven-month-old Tristan can no longer wear.

Much of the clothing originally came from Heather Passmore and her twins Lucas and Patrick Tate. Passmore, who was also at the party, said most of the clothes were originally given to her from other families.

"Kids don't really wear out clothes," she said.

Passmore brought along three boxes of clothes, boots and toys the twins - now two and a half years old and growing quickly - no longer need.

"We just keep passing it on," Passmore said.

While parents at the party were looking at clothing, children had a different agenda.

They quickly bypassed the tables of clothes and headed straight for the toy section.

Carter Rice, 4, who came out with his mother and brother Mason, 2, was thrilled to find an Incredible Hulk figure on the table.

He quickly began playing with the toy and giving his own impression of the Hulk's grimacing face.

Mason picked up a monster truck that caught his eye.

Parents and children alike who missed the party don't have to worry. Gendron said the society will be having another swap party in the future.