Charleroi Elementary Center Donates to Harvest’s Bounty Program with Proceeds from Vendor and Craft Show

Last Updated on Thursday, 30 March 2017 01:29

By Jill Runfola

The Charleroi Elementary Center hosted a vendor and craft show on Saturday, March 18, 2017, and it was fitting that it was the weekend before spring began.

Vendor and Craft Show coordinators Dana Cannon, elementary school nurse, and Becky Spiker, Charleroi Elementary Center librarian.

Crafters kept the season’s motif in mind, especially the upcoming Easter holiday. Held in the cafeteria and gymnasium, it took place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The show featured crafters, 39 vendors, 50 baskets, concessions, and 50/50 raffles. All vendors donated one basket. The Chinese auction baskets sold 20 tickets for $10 which included: cleaning supplies, duffel bags, hygiene products, school supplies, stuffed animals, jewelry, and an Easter cake.

Mainly responsible for the event were Becky Spiker, elementary center librarian, and Dana Cannon, the elementary center’s school nurse. Spiker said, however, of the show’s work, “It’s a group effort; we have a team of about 20 people.” The school is for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, and the team is made up of all hard-working volunteers.

Cannon explained, “We decided to have this to donate to Harvest’s Bounty. We send food home for the weekend with approximately 340 kids who benefit from this program. It costs $38,000 a year to run this program, with grants, fundraisers, and private donations.” Just a few of the other fundraisers are Sarris candy sales, gift basket auctions, and spaghetti dinners.

This is their first vendor and craft show, and they’re hoping to make it an annual event. With the outstanding coordination and arrangement of Saturday’s show, the elementary center will not have a problem doing this again. Some of the many vendors were: Premier Designs Jewelry, Avon, Christine’s Kitchen, Paparazzi Jewelry, and Express by Charms. Food such as hot dogs and sauerkraut, donuts, pop, coffee, and nachos and cheese was sold as well.

Concessions workers Christine Polkaba, 1st grade teacher; Kathy Franks, elementary reading specialist; and Kim Gilmore, kindergarten teacher.

Cannon concluded, “If anyone wants to donate to Harvest’s Bounty, contact me.” Her telephone number at the elementary center school office is 724-483-5554. Students are provided with healthy meals who otherwise might have gone hungry with donations that are received or funds that are raised.