Peace Lutheran Church’s Ladies Guild will host its annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and organizers hope shoppers walk away with more than bargains this year.
Guild member Holly Bendixen said the sale’s reputation for low prices sometimes overshadows its purpose.
“People really haven’t been aware that we use every penny we take in, and it goes back out to local charities,” Bendixen said. “Our craft sale has a reputation of being such low prices, but it is a fundraiser. I think people don’t even think about it.”
Beyond a small amount used to send kids to church camp, proceeds go to organizations that include the Philomath Youth Activities Association, the Backpack Ministry, Philomath Performing Arts, Harriet’s Housing, Corvallis for Refugees, Vina Moses, the Philomath Community Meal offered weekly at College United Methodist Church and Philomath Community Services, which includes Nancy’s Food Pantry and June’s Kids Kloset.
Admission is free. Shoppers will find hundreds of handcrafted items along with 37 gift baskets.
The guild has also expanded “Granny’s Attic,” its section of donated, gently used items, to three rooms this year. Bendixen said the offerings include more than 150 jigsaw puzzles, collectibles, antiques, vintage pieces and housewares. One donor contributed an entire collection of bells.
“People love that,” she said. “They come flooding in.”
Baked goods and soup kits will be available to take home, including homemade cookies at $5 a dozen. The guild sold 120 dozen cookies last year.
The bazaar also features a quilt raffle. The quilt’s hand-appliqued squares were made and donated by congregation member Kathy Barrett, and Kay Glathar assembled the quilt. Tickets are $5, and winners do not need to be present.
Much of the merchandise comes from Pieces by Peace, a group that meets monthly year-round to make items for the sale. Asked when the work begins, Bendixen said, “We never stop.”
The group is led by Jani Burton, who also oversees Granny’s Attic and now hosts the gatherings at her home.
“She’s a force to be reckoned with,” Bendixen said. “She’s a wonderful person and she just keeps us going.”
Bendixen said she was long the group’s youngest member with crafters in their 80s and 90s working side by side. The fellowship is a big part of why they keep at it.
“We like to give back to the community, and the biggest thing for Pieces by Peace is the camaraderie,” she said. “We like each other. That’s how we do it. We care about each other.”
Peace Lutheran Church is located at 2540 Applegate St. in Philomath.
