Kish Hospital to host Artisan Market to raise money for scholarship fund

By Maria Ahmad

Kishwaukee Community Hospital Auxiliary will hold its third annual Artisan Market Friday with unique handmade crafts, original artwork, and homemade baked goods.

The Artisan Market will display the arts and crafts from 45 vendors this year. A raffle will also be held for gift baskets donated by 24 hospital departments and employees. Tickets for the raffle will be a dollar each or $5 for six tickets. All proceeds will benefit the Auxiliary’s Health care Scholarships.

“The Auxiliary is committed to assisting DeKalb County residents pursue a career in health care,” said Paula von Ende, Kishwaukee Hospital volunteer services director.

For more than 25 years, Kishwaukee Auxiliary sponsored Potpourri, a Christmas art show. After the new hospital opened in 2007, Potpourri was cancelled due to lack of volunteers. Three years ago, the idea of the Artisan Market was initiated to raise funds for the scholarships. This year, 45 vendors have signed up and the event is full, von Ende said.

“I have done stained glass mosaic for eight years but it is my first year in the Artisan Market,” said Cheryl Callighan, local artisan. “Paula is my neighbor and sees a lot of my mosaics, and heard I am a featured artist at the Morton Arboretum this summer and asked if I was able to do the Artisan Market.”

Kishwaukee Hospital Auxiliary also operates the hospital gift shop, and is looking for volunteers. Volunteers may be needed to greet visitors, do special projects, or organize blood drives. Many participants of the Artisan Market are hospital volunteers or employees.

“I have been an employee of the hospital for 12 years, and my wife volunteers for the hospital and Auxiliary,” said Phil Johnson, local artisan. “It is my first year participating and I am looking forward to the opportunity to have people taste my baked good and help the Auxiliary’s cause.”

The Artisan market will be held on Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Kishwaukee Hospital Roberts Conference Center.