Nord-Bridge holding annual fundraising Craft and Bake Sale

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on October 19, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Nord-Bridge Senior Centre’s annual Craft and Bake Sale is back today to bring a variety of goods to members of the community and raise funds to continue offering programs for seniors at the centre.

Program coordinator Ashley Kern said the event runs today from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. but those interested in baked goods should make their way to the event early, as last year they ran out of them very quickly.

“It’s free entry for the public, they don’t have to be a Nord-Bridge members. There’s light refreshments and snacks that they can have as well for a small fee and all the proceeds from this craft and bake sale goes towards recreation programs at Nord-Bridge,” said Kern.

She said they usually see around 200 people come through their doors to take advantage of the variety of crafts offered by those who had the opportunity to set up booths in the gymnasium.

“We’ve got about 27 or so vendors this year, that’s the maximum that we can have, and we have a little cafe area on the one side where they can sit down and have some light refreshments and snacks as well,” said Kern.

She explained that some of the baked goods that are for sale across some of the booths have been donated by local businesses like Lakeview Bakery, Crumbl Cookies, Edible Elegance and Tim Hortons on Mayor Magrath Drive North sponsored the coffee and baked goods people can purchase at the cafe.

In terms of what people can expect to see when attending the event, Kern said most of the booths will be selling handmade crafts.

“A lot of quilting, woodworking items, homemade jewellery, homemade knitted items, baby items, scarves, shopping bags, Christmas ornaments which was a big one last year, other kind of crafty items as well as wreaths,” said Kern.

She said they never had wreaths being sold at this particular event in previous years, so it would be interesting to see how well they sell.

Kern explained that the Craft and Bake Sale has been hosted at Nord-Bridge for about 10 to 15 years and it is one of their biggest fundraisers of the year. This allows them to continue to offer a multitude of programs for seniors in the community, as well as provides them with a chance to socialize on a Saturday, a day Nord-Bridge is usually closed.

“It’s a good excuse to come to Nord-Bridge on a Saturday morning and have a coffee with their friends when they normally don’t get too. And then also because they can maybe support local entrepreneurs that might be fellow members or others from the community,” said Kern.

 She added the event also provides an opportunity to members of the community who are over the age of 55 to check out the centre, learn about the programs offered and perhaps make the decision to become members themselves.

“It is very important for seniors in the community to have opportunities to socialize, to reduce or avoid isolation, as many seniors in the community don’t have family close by and our programs provide them with many opportunities to stay active, to keep their bodies and minds engaged,” said Kern.

She said this is one of the many reasons they continue to raise funds, to be able to support seniors in the community to live better, healthier, happier lives.

“Funds raised through the Craft and Bake Sale will help us not only continue offering existing programs, but also start new ones and be able to cover the cost of equipment and supplies needed for them,” said Kern.