Shopping for artisanal Christmas gifts in Niagara-on-the-Lake could help to provide solar-powered lights for children in Burundi, Africa.
The Christmas With Heart fundraising artisan sale takes place on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cornerstone Community Church’s new location in the former Orchard Park church.
Virgil resident Chris Gillespie is partnering with her adult daughters Paige Rutherford and Jess Gillespie-Bridel to create a meaningful and helpful resource for our own community, as well as for the students of Karubai Harvest School in Africa. Ronald McDonald House will also benefit, with proceeds from the event going to both charities.
The family chose the second charity as a recipient due to a family scare, which landed Gillespie’s young grandson in an extended hospital stay, while his parents found some solace in the nearby Ronald McDonald House. The Karubai school is a current focus of Cornerstone church.
30 vendors are committed to the event, and church folk will be cooking up goodies for a bake table as well. A well-stocked raffle table includes donations from each vendor as well as several local businesses.
There is no admission fee, and the building, at 434 Hunter Rd., is fully accessible. The ample parking is also free of charge.
This is a family-friendly event, with a face painter as well as photo opportunities with “Princess Elsa” from the animated film Frozen.
A detailed list of vendors can be found on the sale’s Facebook event page.