BATTLE MOUNTAIN - The St. John Bosco Christmas Bazaar was held Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the St. John Bosco Hall and attracted a substantial crowd throughout the event, said Laurie Pluemer, president of the Altar Society.
"It went well," she said. "We had a steady crowd all day."
The bazaar was hosted by the church's Altar Society and raised around $2,400, which will be spent on church and community projects, Pluemer said.
The event featured craft booths, homemade baked goodies and raffle prizes. There were 24 vendors and 38 tables that consisted of homemade items such as candles, quilted items, soaps, jewelry, gift baskets, wood crafts, baked goods, scarves, rustic furniture and crocheted and knitted items.
There was also an Avon table. The Quilt Guild, Sober Seniors and the senior center had booths at the event as well.
The Altar Society had a baked goods booth at the event where members sold all kinds of desserts from Christmas cookies, fudge and banana bread to gingerbread, cakes and cupcakes. Members also sold white elephant gifts that included ribbon wreaths, candles and dishes. The booths together raised $700.
The Altar Society held raffles with around 30 prizes that included items such as a nativity scene, a large stuffed stocking, gas cards, a stained glass piece and a large stuffed toy. The prizes were donated to the Altar Society or purchased by members of the group, Pluemer said.
Raffle tickets were $1 each or six for $5. The drawings were held at the event at 3 p.m. and winners did not have to be present. Around $850 was made from the raffles.
Members of the Altar Society sold chili, clam chowder and chicken noodle soup for $4 a bowl. It was accompanied by cornbread, crackers or French bread. Sales raised around $300.
"It did well, and because of the snow and chilly weather, people really liked the soup this year," Pluemer said.
St. John Bosco's Christmas Bazaar is an annual event that has been going on for around 30 years. It is one of two annual fundraisers held by the Altar Society. The other fundraiser is the St. Patrick's Day spaghetti feed.
This year for Thanksgiving, the Altar Society put together and gave away 22 dinner baskets to families in need. The food was donated by church members and Etcheverry's Foodtown.
Altar Society members take care of the church upkeep and offer church support as well as volunteer their time, efforts and resources for service projects throughout the community.
[[In-content Ad]]
