St. John’s Craft Fair to benefit Safe Haven Baby Box Nov. 9
MADISON – For 2024, St. John’s Craft Fair will raise funds to help with costs for the Safe Haven Baby Box.
The event venue will be the Parish Hall at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 1055 Hughes Road, according to coordinator Gretchen Willett. The craft fair is scheduled for Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The fair’s proceeds will go to operating costs of the Safe Haven Baby Box. Madison was the first city in Alabama to receive a baby box.
The box allows a parent to leave the baby in a secure device at Madison Fire Station 1. When the box is opened to place the baby, a silent alarm is triggered that alerts first responders in the building. First responders perform a preliminary medical evaluation and transport the child to Madison Hospital for further medical attention.
The annual craft fair in November serves as a fundraiser for an underserved, local charity. In past years, fair proceeds have helped Limestone Prison Ministry, North Alabama Foster Closet, The Riley Center, Friends. Inc. and Honoring Veteran Legacies, Willett said.
Admission and parking is free to guests. All vendors at the fair will offer handmade items. The fair does not allow direct sales.
The bake sale will tempt shoppers with homemade ice cream, fudge, cookies, candy, brownies, whole cakes and more.
One attraction, the Vendor Christmas Tree, is decorated with handmade ornaments, created by The Potter’s Hand in Athens. “The Potter’s Hand, a non-profit organization, has been part of the craft fair since the beginning six years ago,” Willett said. “Shoppers can make a donation and get to pick a free handmade ornament off the tree. On the back, a number is linked to a free gift from one of our vendors.”
“The Potter’s Hand has an open studio on Wednesdays for anyone to use. The core team offers instruction to those who need help, and the whole operation is run by donations,” Willett said.
The Potter’s Hand sells pottery at the summer farmers’ market and various craft sales around the holidays. All remaining funds at the end benefit the Presbyterian Home for Children, the local Family Resource Center and other local charities. (fpcathens.org/ ministry/the-potters-hand) The Knights of Columbus, whose home church is St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, will return as a vendor this year. All their proceeds will help to fund their community outreach programs, such as the seventh annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll 5K; collection drives for diapers, winter coats and food; scholarships; education programs; and more.
“Donations are gathered from around the Rocket City from local artists and vendors who use their hands to serve others. These donations are used in the St. Nick’s Drawing. You donate and receive raffle tickets. You can put all your tickets in for one item or spread them across all the items in the drawing,” Willett said.
A few local artists who donated to the St. Nick’s Drawing this year include Margaret Pugh, Wayne Higginbotham, Nevin Langdon of Silly Signs, Delta Dog and Gathering Moss Studios from Lowe Mill, JD’s Woodshop, Denise Maurer, Wayne Sovocool, Couture Kids, Creek Clay & Co. and Dr. Christina Canales.
All proceeds from the vendor booth fees, bake sale, St. Nick’s Drawing, silent auction, Vendor Christmas Tree and Pictures with Santa go to the charity.
“Some of these donors are previous or current vendors. Some are just generous community members who recognize an opportunity to use their talents to help local charity,” Willett said.
For more information, call 256-7220130, email sjbcraftfair@gmail.com or visit sites.google.com/view/stjohnscraftfair/ home, Facebook/St. John’s Craft Fair or Instagram sjbcraftfair.
