The spirit of Christmas already is spreading here as local residents have begun donating handcrafted items for the ninth-annual “Spirit of Christmas” silent auction.
“We’re very excited about it. It’s such a nice time of year to come out and see what the people in Fort Frances have made,” said Elsie Cameron, one of the event’s organizers.
Items donated so far include Christmas stockings and wreaths, decorative trees, painted benches, penguins, a quilt, knitted sweaters, and a painted ostrich egg.
The theme of this year’s fundraiser is “Through the eyes of a child,” but all donations will be accepted.
Linda Hamilton, another organizer, said the donations are coming along well, but they’re always ready to accept more.
For people who like to put things off until the last possible minute, Hamilton said they will be accepting donations up until 4 p.m. on the day of the event.
“Some people come with items still hot and sticky from the oven. People have been known to arrive with hot glue guns,” she laughed.
Typically, the event features 250-300 handcrafted items, she said, with 300-350 people come out to attend. “There’ll be lots and lots of people, lots of good things to taste, and great door prizes,” Hamilton pledged.
Tickets also are selling well for the draw for a queen-size quilt made by the Tuesday Quilters, she added.
Meanwhile, six three-foot lighted Christmas trees have been claimed for decoration and auction. Groups or individuals can sign up to decorate a tree, which then will sell for anywhere from $80-$300.
“And we are not competing with the Grey Cup this year,” laughed Hamilton, who said the silent auction usually falls on the same day as the CFL’s championship game.
The “Spirit of Christmas” typically raises about $15,000 for the local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Fort Frances Community Chest.
“We’ve helped a lot of people and it’s been wonderful,” Cameron said.
“It’s a really good fundraiser. There are people who look forward to it every year,” echoed Hamilton.
This year’s “Spirit of Christmas” will take place Sunday, Nov. 23 beginning at 6 p.m. at La Place Rendez-Vous. Admission is $2, which includes coffee and dainties.
To donate a handcrafted item for the silent auction, contact Cameron (274-3518) or Hamilton (274-8782). Or you can drop off your item at Tichborne’s Real Estate (576 Scott St.) or at Cameron’s home (1111 River Rd.)
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
