This year marked the 18th annual Holiday Bazaar event, entitled “Merry and Bright,” hosted by the Office of the Registrar. The event was a success, as Toys for Tots, an organization that helps families provide children with gifts for the holidays, will receive a check in the amount of $3,074 from donations. To date, a total of $49,286 has been raised for the nonprofit.
“We ask people to donate baked goods, crafts, etc.,” said Patricia Gneiting, chair of the bazaar committee. “We also receive donations from local businesses, such as gift cards, which we put in a raffle drawing or in gift baskets for silent auctions.”
The event has a strong personal meaning for Gneiting, along with many members of her team.
“For me, it's about doing something to help provide a happy Christmas to children who might not have the opportunity without the efforts of the Toys for Tots organization,” she said. “I come from a family with eight children, and my parents struggled to provide for us at times, but they always managed, sometimes with the help of others to see to it that we had a wonderful Christmas.”
The Holiday Bazaar is an event that stems from the generosity of others, both from the generous donations of those participating and from the time that is given by the team of volunteers that work to make the event a success.
“I cannot speak for others, but I know that those of us who have been here every year since we started this, it is a very special event that means so much to us to be able to do something for others, especially children, during the season of giving,” Gneiting said. “Giving our time, effort and money makes us feel good to do our small part.”