By Kathy Collins
Just in time for the holidays, the Brandon Christian Church, located at 910 Bryan Rd. in Brandon, is hosting its 8th Annual Craft Bazaar on Saturday, December 5 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The 8th Annual Craft Bazaar is unique because only hand crafted items are accepted from the vendors who display and sell their goods. There are no commercially produced products. According to Betty Dawson, coordinator of the Annual Craft Bazaar, “Shoppers will find items such as jewelry, yard art, lath-turned pens, quilts, tooled leather items, hand stamped cards, fused and stained glass items, original art items, sewn, knitted, crocheted and quilted items, and much more.”
This is a great opportunity to purchase holiday gifts for that friend or loved one who seems to have everything. In addition to hand crafted, one of a kind items, shoppers can partake in a bake sale featuring cookies, cakes and breads, all costing a dollar or less. Lunch items and drinks are also available including hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, chips and drinks.
The 8th Annual Craft Bazaar is free to attend and there is no cost to park. There will be people in the parking lot to assist shoppers.
Dawson said, “What distinguishes our event is that we feature hand crafted items only. We strive to make it an enjoyable event both for vendors and for shoppers. We even provide the vendors with the opportunity to pre-order their lunch and have it delivered to their booth. In getting to know our vendors, we have found it interesting that several of them use the sale of their crafts to support ministries and orphanages in Africa and also make and donate quilts for infants in neonatal units.”
This is a fundraiser for the church. The building is used by many community groups such as the Scouts and support groups. In addition, members of the church help provide meals to clients of Meals on Wheels. In addition, every two to three months, the church hosts families from the Brandon Family Promise program.
“Making the building available to meet community needs is an integral part of who we are,” Dawson said.
For more information on the 8th Annual Craft Bazaar and the Brandon Christian Church, visit www.brandonchristianchurch.org, call 404-9393 or email bazaar@dawsoncrew.com.
