KAMSACK — An event touted as having “something for everyone,” the fifth annual Holiday Shopping Party at the United Church in Kamsack Dec. 7 helped raise funds for the church’s Mission and Service Fund.
Held at Westminster Memorial United Church from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event included 16 exhibitors plus a lunch that featured seven varieties of homemade soup, in addition to sandwiches, desserts and coffee, said Kathy Handzuik, an organizer of the event. Unfortunately, because of flu and other circumstances, four of the planned exhibitors were not able to attend.
“Find all your gifts under one roof,” Handzuik said, explaining that the shopping party included booths that carried Tupperware, quilts, Young Living, Epicure, Color Street Nails and Scentsy products, cosmetics, handcrafted items, purses and bags, home-baked goods and information from the area’s Victims’ Services program.
A new exhibitor is Stacy Hilton of Kamsack who is selling her locally-produced honey, she said.
About 12 women from the United Church Women’s (UCW) group helped with the lunch and kitchen chores, she said, In addition, parishioner Rod Gardner helped the UCW members in the kitchen.
“Kathy is a long-time member of the UCW and is a dedicated fundraiser who contributes her time and talent to church projects,” Gardner added.
The event, which charged no admission, included a raffle and the sale of 50/50 lottery tickets.
Traditionally held the first Saturday of December, the Holiday Shopping Party usually raises about $1,000 for the United Church’s Mission and Service Fund.
The Fund transforms lives, inspires meaning and purpose and helps to build a better world, said information on the United Church of Canada’s Mission and Service Fund.
“United Church people across the country join together to share what we can with people and places in need through a unified fund called Mission and Service,” the information said. “Compassion lies at the heart of generosity. From serving a hot meal at a local community kitchen to visiting a lonely neighbour, to financially supporting those in need in our local communities and around the world, the people of the United Church are committed to turning compassion into action.”
In the last year alone, those who attend and support The United Church of Canada gave more than $24 million to people in need and projects that matter, it said. “It’s pretty basic. We share.
In 2023, total Mission and Service gifts, including congregational and emergency giving, will and life insurance gifts, special gifts, and support from the United Church Women, amounted to just over $24 million.
“Locally, we help people by supporting homeless shelters, food banks, community kitchens, and refugee programs. We help young people on campuses and through camping outreach. We help people who are sick or at the end of life by supporting addiction, mental health, counselling services and hospice care.
“Globally, we support people to access clean water, food and medical care. We support skills training and economic development. We help with peace-making and sustainable agriculture efforts. We provide disaster relief and advocate for the rights of those who all too often don’t get a say, like children and migrant workers.”
