A Resounding Success: Loma Prieta's Craft Faire Hits $10,000 Fundraising Milestone
by Andrew Naylor
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 9:49 PM.
LOS GATOS, CA - In a celebration of community, creativity, and compassion, the 30th Annual Loma Prieta Holiday Craft Faire unfolded on December 2nd and 3rd, 2023, leaving an indelible mark on the Santa Cruz Mountains. Co-chaired for the second consecutive year by dedicated locals Lila Jones and Becky Seng, both products of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Lakeside Elementary, the event not only showcased the artistic talents of the region but also demonstrated the fundraising power of a school community.
Co-chairs Lila Jones and Becky SengA notable addition to this year's Craft Faire was the presence of students selling crafts made at the CT English Craft Camp. From intricately designed leather keychains to stylish dog bandanas, the young artisans displayed their creativity, providing a fresh and vibrant touch to the event.
The Craft Faire, the crown jewel of fundraising for the CT English Home and School Club (CTE HSC), proved to be a resounding success, with profits exceeding $10,000. This financial boon plays a pivotal role in the HSC's annual tradition of contributing over $10,000 directly to teacher classrooms. These funds are essential for procuring teacher supplies, art materials, and various other necessities, helping bridge the financial gap between district resources and support from the Loma Public Education Foundation (LPEF).
The financial backbone of the event relies on a pair of revenue streams – food sales, and booth rentals. Over 40 vendors participated, showcasing a diverse array of crafts and home goods. Notably, more than half of these vendors were mountain residents, emphasizing the strong local presence and support for community initiatives.
Among the vendors were 12 student vendors, offering a platform for the next generation of entrepreneurs and artisans to shine. The event also welcomed three non-profit vendors – the Loma Prieta Museum, Summit Riders, and Summit Horse Rescue – bringing a charitable aspect to the Craft Faire. School groups, including those raising funds for the CTE HSC, the 8th-grade Washington DC trip, and the 5th-grade Pigeon Point field trip, added a much appreciated fundraising dimension.
The altruistic spirit extended to the Santa Cruz County CERT council, which hosted a booth to assist attendees in registering for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, and underlining the community's focus on safety and preparedness.
Mark Vaughan from Theater in the Mountains showcased the community's unwavering dedication to supporting local schools and students by capturing free portraits as a fundraising initiative for the Pigeon Point field trip. His dual-purpose endeavor underscored the interconnectedness between artistic expression and community support, emphasizing the enduring spirit of a community that consistently rallies to aid and enhance the educational viability of its schools.
As the echoes of the 30th Annual Loma Prieta Holiday Craft Faire lingered in the crisp mountain air, it served as a testament to the enduring spirit of a community that not only crafts beautiful art but also binds together in steadfast support for education. In this dynamic tapestry of creativity, the community unites to fund our schools, foster the growth of young minds, and celebrate the flourishing of artistic expression.
