Elementary school hosts craft fair to raise funds for new equipment

By Jessi Haish

Founders Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) held a craft fair Saturday to raise funds for new soccer goals.

Founders Elementary School, 821 S. Seventh St., hosted various vendors in the gymnasium. Funds raised came from an entrance fee for visitors and vendor fees.

“Apparently, we have a lot of soccer players at this school,” said PTO Vice President Carie Schultz with a laugh. “Two goals just aren’t cutting it.”

Funds will also be dispersed to classes for classroom materials.

This is the second craft fair that the Founders PTO has held. Schultz said the last one was held in the spring, but she hoped holding it in November this time would draw holiday shoppers.

The PTO utilized the Internet to find vendors for the event. Schultz said email blasts and Facebook drew in many vendors, and a few vendors have children that attend the school.

Almost twenty vendors were drawn in for the craft fair, with products ranging from jewelry to books to stationary.

Hampshire resident Bonnie Larson had a booth for her company Sunshine Books. Larson sells books that can be imprinted with a personal, unique message on the first inside page. Larson said the books are ideal for parents who want to give their child a book for a special occasion, like holidays and birthdays. Larson also writes up letters “from Santa.”

“I’ve been doing this off and on since 1987,” Larson said. “I really enjoy it.”

Most of the vendors have been attending craft shows for many years. Elburn resident Sandi Phelan has been running Stampin’ Up! since 1999. Stampin’ Up! sells unique cards and materials to make cards. Phelan said she has been crafting for a long time.

“I’ve come a long way from the boring cards in the beginning,” Phelan said with a smile.

Phelan hoped to make some new contacts through the craft fair and said hosting a card party can be a lot of fun. Phelan offers the option to attend a class or host card-making parties.

“It’s a girls’ night,” Phelan said. “Card making, friends and chocolate.”