by Lynn Colburn
Photos/Lynn Colburn
Shoppers looking for unique handcrafted items, local vendors and a chance to support area veterans will have plenty to explore at the Morgan County VFW Auxiliary Post 1379 Craft & Vendor Show on Saturday, June 27.
Though in support of the Morgan County VFW Auxiliary, the event will be physically held at another local veterans organization, American Legion Post 279. So, head out that day from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. to 903 W. Superior Ave. in Jacksonville. In addition to dozens of vendor booths, attendees can enjoy food, baked goods and activities throughout the day.
Jodith Lewis, event coordinator for VFW Auxiliary Post 1379, said the fundraiser has generated tremendous interest from vendors.
“We have 43 spaces and they’re completely full,” Lewis says. “And actually, I had to squeeze two more people in there.”
As a fundraiser, the craft fair supports several projects sponsored by the auxiliary that serves and supports our veterans.
“The fundraiser for our veterans, and we have a lot of veterans in our VFW,” Lewis says. “And we also support [dogs for disabled veterans with PTSD type organizations] through t-shirt sales and our 50/50 drawing at the fundraising event.”
Lewis says proceeds from auxiliary fundraisers help support our local veterans, and service dog programs for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Also, students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships every year through the Morgan County VFW Auxiliary Post 1379.
“I’m very passionate about our veterans,” Lewis says.
She explains that the PTSD service dog program remains close to her heart.
“I believe PTSD service dogs can make a real difference for our veterans,” Lewis says.
After learning that specially trained service dogs can cost as much as $35,000, Lewis said she became even more committed to helping raise funds for the program.
“Each dog is trained to the specific veteran’s PTSD,” she says.
The auxiliary has continued raising money through t-shirt sales and special events, including a recent scrapbooking fundraiser that generated $215 for the service dog program through shirt sales alone.
The VFW Auxiliary organization also raises money for veterans, scholarships and the homeless.
“Our VFW and Auxiliary were able to help, by putting our funds and labor together, for one of our local veterans who needed a ramp, due to becoming a double amputee. A very rewarding experience for everyone involved,” says Lewis.
Visitors to the craft fair will find a wide variety of vendors offering handmade and specialty items.
Lewis is excited about all the booths available at the craft fair and highlighted several of its newcomers.
“We have some unique items for our event June 27. I hope everyone enjoys watching the demonstration of 3D printing, having custom hats made, checking out the handmade sculpture soaps and baskets, t-shirts designed while you wait,” she shares.
Lewis continues with an enthusiasm that bursts from her naturally, “One vendor coming has engraved cutting boards and macramé tables to hang your plant or use as a table,” Lewis says. “Oh, he has some beautiful stuff. He can also specialize an order for you.”
Additional vendors will offer wind chimes, suncatchers, fishing lures, resin creations, crystals, minerals, gems, paper crafts, greeting cards, jewelry, quilted items, hand-beaded products, hair accessories, stone lamps, home décor, candles, car freshies, pottery, light-up glass décor and there will also be some direct sales vendors.
Lewis describes one vendor’s unique lamp creations, “They’re oil lamps with marble that you can either put on the patio and burn them with your citronella oil or you can have them in the house with your lamp oil.”
Those with a sweet tooth will find plenty of treats available, including products from Ally’s Cake Pops and Homemade with Love baked goods and sweets.
B&S Grub Food Truck will be serving food during the event. “I want to give them some recognition,” Lewis says. “I tried many, but B&S Grub were very gracious and agreed to come as soon as I asked.”
Lewis says the event has been promoted throughout the community and organizers are hoping for a strong turnout.
“It’s been advertised in The Source summer edition and in the Journal-Courier also,” she says. “We are hoping to get a big crowd to come out and support our veterans.”
The VFW Auxiliary and the VFW will also have a membership table available for anyone interested in learning more about joining the organizations.
“Under the direction of our [Morgan County VFW Auxiliary Post 1379] President Matt Dixon, we are always trying to get members,” Lewis says. “If you have a family member — husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. — check out the membership. There are scholarship opportunities for student members and other benefits available to auxiliary members.”
Lewis, who serves as membership chair, said many people mistakenly believe membership automatically requires extensive volunteer work.
“Some people worry that joining means that they’ll be expected to volunteer,” Lewis says. “I like to tell them that membership along matters. Our numbers help support national funding and even small contributions can be rewarding.”
Those contributions can make a difference.
“A lot of times volunteering is just doing one thing that is easy to do,” she says.
Lewis says organizing events allows her to stay active while supporting causes she believes in.
“I’m an organizer, it keeps me busy and I love that,” Lewis says. “I’ve been doing this for a very, very long time, so I’m not afraid to do it.”
The Morgan County VFW Auxiliary Post 1379 has several additional events planned this year:
- Sept. 19 — Third Annual Scrapbooking for Veterans event with garage sale, food vendors and raffles at the American Legion. Proceeds benefit scholarships, veterans’ programs and service dogs for veterans with PTSD.
- Oct. 24 — Trunk-or-Treat from 3-6 p.m. hosted by the VFW, Auxiliary and American Legion at the American Legion. Community members, businesses and organizations are encouraged to decorate vehicles and provide treats. “We are also hosting a wiener roast,” says Lewis.
- Nov. 11 — Veterans Day observance at 11 a.m. at Jacksonville Community Park.
- Dec. 2 — Christmas Party for VFW and Auxiliary members at the American Legion, catered by Hamilton’s.
- Dec. 5 — Vendor Craft Fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the American Legion. Santa Claus will make an appearance during the event.
