Pipestone Flyer
Frosty mornings, skiffs of snow and chilly winds. All are an indication that Christmas is not that far off. On October 25th the holiday season was even more evident as local residents got a jump on Christmas shopping at the Christmas Shopping Extravaganza for CB McMurdo School. The parking surrounding CB McMurdo was crowded at 5:00 p.m. as the continuous stream of 139 shoppers entered CB McMurdo. Each paid a $2.00 entry fee and received a green shopping bag to fill with a wide variety of treasures offered by the 35 vendors. Christmas decorations, jewellery, cooking accessories, food mixes, utensils, home cooking, clothing items made their way from the vendors’ tables into the green bags and the Christmas shopping season was underway.
The pre-event advertising described the event as - CB McMurdo Fundraising Society is hosting a ‘Holiday Shopping Extravaganza’ featuring a variety of businesses and home parties selling their wares. Admission to this event was $2.00, and with your fee the entrants received a free canvas shopping bag, a hot or cold beverage, some yummy holiday baking and free child care if needed. The vendors paid a fee of $25.00 for their table, this cost and the $2.00 admission fee for the public went straight to CB McMurdo fundraising society. Vendors were also responsible to donate one item to the school that evening, which will be raffled off at a later date.”
Jamie Befus, a parent and organizer of the event was at the entrance greeting guests with a warm smile while at the same time keeping financial records of the event. She proudly summarized the success of the event. “We raised a total of $1,624.25 from the CB McMurdo Christmas Shopping Extravaganza. This year we had 139 people come through the doors; last year we had 90. So we were up from last year. This year we also had 35 vendor tables. Last year we had 26. So our event grew this year and was a great success. We do other fundraisers in support of the School, but this is the big one of the year.”
Jamie explained how the parents have gone the extra mile for this year’s Extravaganza. “New this year were homemade cards and baking made by the parents. 100% of the proceeds from the parents’ contribution goes directly to the School.”
Aside from the money raised towards the purchase of playground equipment Jamie explains the augmented value of the event. “Our event also allowed guests to visit our school and see what a friendly and positive environment CB McMurdo has. A number of compliments were received on the feeling of the school and we were thankful for the exposure as well as raising funds for our school.”
Each of the vendors freely shared information about their products and stressed the importance of being present at the Extravaganza. CB McMurdo School is grateful for the ongoing support provided by the CB McMurdo Fundraising Society and thankful to all the people who supported the Extravaganza.