RUMFORD — The Hope Association will host a scrapbooking and crafting fundraiser Saturday, March 16, to help individuals with developmental disabilities.
Executive Director Catherine Johnson said this is the first time the Hope Association has hosted a scrapbooking-and-crafting-themed fundraiser, and seating is limited.
“There are 30 spaces set up, and so far, fifteen people have called and reserved a space,” Johnson said. “I’m hoping by next Saturday, we’ll be able to fill all the slots.”
Johnson said for a $35 fee, which will go toward benefiting developmentally disabled residents in the area, each person will be given a space from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in which to participate in any type of craft they wish.
Johnson pointed out that when people attempt to do crafts at home, it can be easy to start doing chores or become otherwise sidetracked.
“Basically, we’re looking for people who have a project they’re looking to complete that they haven’t had time to work on,” Johnson said. “It could be sewing or stamping, or maybe even painting. We provide the space for you, and you have all day to work on it. If you need to go drop off your son at basketball or run some errands for a couple hours, you can come back and still have your space reserved.”
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided by local businesses, said Johnson, who have donated food and gift certificates to purchase food for the fundraiser. Several local businesses also donated items for a silent auction that will be held later that day, and Johnson added that a local woman offering Avon products will visit.
Johnson said she has attended several scrapbooking and crafting events similar to this and understands how they run.
“I go to one in Freeport where 50 of us do crafts in a hotel room,” Johnson said. “I know a lot of people who get together, divide the cost and bring their own food to make a potluck dinner out of it.”
Johnson said she finds the River Valley region “very crafty” and that “hopefully, the fundraiser will give people a chance to share ideas with each other.”
“Just look around us — we have the quilters of Rumford, the Region 9 School and all kinds of people interested in scrapbooking,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot of people doing crafts right now. I think the people in this area are very creative. We’re always trying to do things here that will attract diversity.”
To reserve a space, call 364-4561.
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