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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Vendors set up tables in the Poland Seminary High School gymnasium on Nov. 5 for the Poland Union annual Holiday Shop.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.People filled the Poland Seminary High School gymnasium looking at different products vendors brought in for the annual Holiday Shop on Nov. 5.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests shopped at the different vendors at the Holiday Shop at Poland Seminary High School on Nov. 5.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests looked at the prizes for the raffle during the annual Poland Union Holiday Shop on Nov. 5 at Poland Seminary High School.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests put their tickets in the basket raffle prizes during the Holiday Shop on Nov. 5 at Poland Seminary High School.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Poland Union PTO hosted its 13th annual Holiday Shop at Poland Seminary High School on Nov. 5.
The Holiday Shop consists of a craft show and bake sale along with concessions, a 50/50 and basket raffles all to help raise funds. The proceeds received are what helps fund the activities the students at Poland Union participate in. The shop is the biggest fundraiser of the year.
“Last year we raised almost $20,000 and we are hoping to raise about that this year,” said Michelle Ray, chair of the Holiday Shop.
The event expands every year and has moved from being hosted at Poland Union to Poland Seminary High School due to size. The planning is almost a year-long process and starts within a month after that year’s shop is finished.
The PTO accepts vendors from all around and many of the vendors find out about the shop from word of mouth. There are local vendors who sell their own creations while there are also vendors who sell items like MaryKay and Scentsy.
There are several sponsors that help the Holiday Shop succeed. One of the biggest sponsors for this year’s shop was The Inn at Poland Way and they donated two scooters as a prize for the raffles.
Hundreds of people show up to the Holiday Shop to help support Poland Union, as well as getting their holiday shopping done.
“It’s a fun fundraiser because the whole community gets involved. It’s not just parents giving money to the school, it’s a community event. It brings more people together,” said Ray.