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Tom and Diana Zuver wash and sort the plastic lids of bottles to be recycled into park benches as part of Clean and Tidy Our County, Inc. Clean and Tidy will be one of many missions represented by the Mission Craftfest on April 27, at First Presbyterian Church.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer Reporter
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Laura and Agusta help sort and wash plastic lids to be recycled into park benches as part of the Clean and Tidy Our County, Inc. Program. Clean and Tidy will be one of many missions represented by the Mission Craftfest on April 27, at First Presbyterian Chrcu.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer Reporter
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Mary Lou Weaver and Judyth Sprowls distribute Old Road Farm Eggs at Claysville Apartments in the First Presbyterian Church’s “Egg Project” as part of their collaboration. Mission Craftsfest, which will take place at First Presbyterian Church (1793) on April 27, includes the Egg Project as one of its missions.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer Reporter
First Presbyterian Church 1793 in Washington will host its first ever craft fair on Saturday. Local vendors and beautiful, colorful wares, as well as informational packs, will be displayed throughout the social hall of its church along East Wheeling Street.
Mission CraftFest is a gathering of local artisans, crafters and nonprofits who often work under the radar.
The idea was to include smaller mission programs. Jan Marietta is a Mission CraftFest leader. She said that smaller programs are doing a lot of good work, but people may not be aware. We want to expose the community to all of the great things being done for and by citizens. And we also want them to see what they could benefit from.
Linda Rall is a quilter and the event runs between 9 am to 3 pm. She had been stitching the idea in her mind for many years, before Mission CraftFest was born this year.
People who are interested in missions will attend mission fairs. The average person won’t. Rall: “I always believed that combining a craft fair with a display of missions would be successful.” The idea is to expose crafters and people coming into the store to missions.
Between the displays of crafters and artisans, small nonprofits from around the area will set up their booths. Mission CraftFest is a great opportunity for nonprofits to raise money, but many will simply be present to spread the word about their causes.
First Presbyterian Church has its own The Egg Project. Volunteers from the church work with local farmers to give away free farm-fresh egg to seniors in their area. The Egg Project is a way for farmers who would otherwise donate their surplus eggs or throw them away to sell the excess to The Egg Project.
Marietta explained, “We give them back to seniors in the buildings of the Redevelopment Authority.” Helping local farmers is important to us. “We’re providing seniors with farm fresh, healthy and nutritious eggs.”
Resolution Power is another nonprofit Marietta proudly introduces to the Mission CraftFest community. This organization has been serving the community for over two decades by offering hope, shelter and purpose to people struggling with drug addiction.
Marietta: “People ask me, what is Res Power? Res Power is an incredible organization.”
On-site, other organizations who don’t usually get the limelight will be educating the public on their missions as well as sharing ways for the community to become involved.
The food program at Upper 10 Mile Church is called Rise Against Hunger. Some people are aware of the Circle Food Pantry, while others may not be,” Marietta explained.
It is a show that aims to create connections between local creatives, nonprofits, and people who want either to help or are curious.
The hope is to give the community more information on what’s available. Marietta said, “There are many things that people do not know, and they can use, or places to volunteer, but Marietta is a good source of information.” People are constantly asking, “What can I do? It’ll help people find out more about what is going on.”
Mission CraftFest participants will not only learn about local nonprofits that are working hard to improve Washington County, but about creatives making beautiful items to share.
Marietta explained: “We’ve got a potter and a woodworker. We also have a photogrpaher, someone who creates handmade cards. These are the smaller items that one wouldn’t want to bring to a big, grand craft fair.”
A First Presbyterian parishioner has repurposed the old pipes of their organ.
She paints and embellishes the pipes. Marietta explained that they can be made into vase-like flower arrangements. Fun ideas you might not see at the big craft shows.
The first Mission CraftFest will be free to attend. Cash only will be accepted for food purchases. Some vendors accept credit cards, but many do not.
There will be food. Crafts will be available. Rall added that there will be mission-oriented people who are spreading the word.
For more information on Mission CraftFest, visit https://fpc1793.org/.