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Craft sale disappointing, says event organizer |
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Sunday, 04 November 2007 |
 Emma McCastlin, 18 months, tries on the pancho just purchased by her mother, Celia McCastlin of Benton, at the annual Helping Hands Craft Club craft show on Saturday. The event, held in the Gene Moss Building at Tyndall Park, didn't attract as many people as organizers had expected.
Club chairman Rosie Agee said Saturday she was disappointed more people didn't come out to the Gene Moss Building at Tyndall Park where the event was held. Vendor booths lined the building Friday and Saturday to benefit the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce.
About 200 attended the show, Agee said. Crafts included woodwork, wreaths, jewelry, holiday decor and more. The winner of a ticket drawing won a $100 gift certificate to Wal-Mart.
“We'd love to get more people to come,” Agee said. “It's more than a craft show. We have excellent gifts.”
While many of the vendors are from the area, Agee said the show is open to anyone. This year's event had a woodworker from Mountain Home.
“The vendors have been fabulous,” Agee said.
Club member Elsie Kelloms noted the “weather has been gorgeous,” which has brought people to the park, and thus attracted them to the craft show. “Parents from the playground have come over and they didn't even know it was going on,” she said.
The club picks a charity each year to help. Past donations have gone to Hannah's Rock, Saline County Safe Haven, Rape Crisis, Civitan Center, Boys and Girls Club of Saline County and the Saline County Humane Society.
Agee said $11,000 so far has been donated from the club's fundraisers. She said around $1,500 will go to the Chamber. “We usually try to give $2,000, but we're only going to be able to do about $1,500 this year.”
In addition to the craft show, the club holds a communitywide yard sale on the parking lot of Wal-Mart Supercenter in Benton.
“We do a lot more,” Agee said. Kelloms added, “We've made bonnets for newborns and food baskets for the senior center.
This craft show was the club's ninth. Members meet monthly to share and teach new craft techniques. New people are always welcome, Agee said. Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month at Woodall Fire Station.
“Thanks to all the people who came out and supported our group,” she said. |
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