GULF SHORES, Ala. — Local businesses are coming together, all under one roof, for a two-day, one-stop-shop charity event.

Christmas on the Coast, presented by the Pleasure Island Junior Woman’s Club, will be held Friday and Saturday at the Gulf Shores Eerie Meyer Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The fourth year fundraiser is the club’s main income for their philanthropy “Clothe the Children.”

Co-chairman of the event Rachel Osborn explained the program benefits children within the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach school systems.

“We work with the counselors of the schools,” Osborn said. “They contact us about children they know that are in need of uniforms.”

Each child gets about a $130 shopping trip to Wal-Mart for uniforms, school supplies and a toy. Last year the organization spent $7,000 and serviced 85 students. Both Osborn and second co-chairman Paige Griffin said they have almost reached last year’s numbers and are only halfway through the school year.

The two cited the straining economy as the culprit for the rising need for assistance.

“There’s no building going on, there’s nothing selling,” Osborn said. “That’s one big factor. (The community) has seen a huge drop.”

At the end of every school year excess money is donated to the schools for whatever they need.

The club is aiming to reach $10,000 at the upcoming Christmas on the Coast, but hopes to surpass that. To support the effort, the ladies are calling on all to spend their Christmas dollars this weekend.

A variety of 20 vendors — from Guy Harvey to the Chocolate Corner — will be offering their products to philanthropic spenders.

Other vendors include Flowers by the Shore, Scarlet Begonia’s, Dinah’s Shore Shop and Seaside Shoes, most all being boutique or specialty stores. Customers are asked to pay a $3 cover charge or bring a new uniform item for admission.

Osborn and Griffin said 95 percent of the money raised stays in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, with the other five going to places like Swift School and Foley.

Two major sponsors, Remax of Gulf Shores and Baldwin EMC, have stepped up and donated more than $1,000 to the charity. The city of Gulf Shores has offered the Civic Center for no charge, a savings of $2,500.