FALL FAIR 2023 RESOURCES FOR VOLUNTEERS

Below you will find a detailed description of each of the activities that make up our Fall Fair, in addition to other volunteer opportunities. Please take a moment to review each opportunity. When you’ve found one that interests you, please reach out to the leader.

White Elephant Sale

The White Elephant Sale in the Parish Hall is where your unwanted items become another person’s treasure! Our W.E. workers toil all week before the Fair, days or evenings, finding much humor and camaraderie in discovering and transforming many donations into items of great (apparent) value to others. All our efforts culminate in a few hectic hours of selling on Fair Day. Our merchandise may be of questionable provenance, but it’s all for the benefit of Plymouth Church and our shared ministries. Get ready to let your W.E. donations loose! Clean them up and bring them to the small classroom opposite Greg’s office during August and early September, or in the Parish Hall (Kitchen side) after September 15. Contacts Dawn Geiser, Glenn Pruszinski and Leona Dalton can help you decide what a White Elephant is, and welcome you to this awesome team!

Luncheonette

Our Luncheonette offers delicious homemade sandwiches, soup, chili, and apple pie (by the slice) to fortify Fair-goers and workers so they may take advantage of all that our Fair has to offer without hunger pains! Many hands make light work when you join this crew in the awesome Parish Hall Kitchen. They start early on Fair day to prepare wonderful things for us to eat. Don’t miss Jerry’s awesome Chowder and Joe’s Chili. Contacts: Meg Doucette, Ruth Griffin, Jody Comley

Kid’s White Elephant Sale

Kids WE is where the toys your kids used to love find new kids who will love them again! Clear space in your closets or play area by passing along gently-used toys, games, puzzles, crafts, art supplies, and baby/toddler equipment. Donations are welcomed in the small classroom opposite Greg’s office, but please hold onto larger pieces until mid-September. Contacts: Alison Simons, Jaime Prince

Jewelry

Each year Fair guests (some dealers) line up to be first to visit our Jewelry Room. With new donations every year, there is something to please everyone. We especially need help here early in the morning of Fair Day. Our experienced “jewelers” welcome new team members to mentor and to share the fun. Most of the pre-Fair work happens during the day here, so come check it out! Contacts: Laraine Snooks, Jane Fadden

Themed Gift Baskets

Sold in our Crafts and Gifts Shop, themed gift baskets are traditionally made by the very talented creative team of Judy Gatlin and Sally Shippee. We welcome donations of interesting knickknacks, pretty soaps, candles, napkins, small trays, etc. These items may be left in a marked box in the small classroom opposite Greg’s office during August and early September, and in the Parish Hall after September 15.

Crafts and Gifts Shop

A group of crafters periodically meets to share Fair crafting ideas, swap resources, and enjoy the creativity vibes. Contact person: Shari VanHook

Costume Shop

Mattie Schadt and her crew can find you a Halloween costume…or two! There is definitely some entertainment value here not to be missed. Donations needed! Mark your bag “Costumes” and leave in the small classroom opposite Greg’s office during August and September. Contact: Mattie Schadt

 

Cookie Walk

Ah, the return of a cherished tradition! Strolling down the row of glass jars to make your selection! Lots of cookies to choose from, as long as you (or family members) can help us by making several dozen. With hopes of the Cookie Walk not selling out before noon, we need all our bakers baking many varieties of smallish sturdy cookies! Look for signup sheets at church, or email to let us know what kinds and how many dozen you can provide. And thanks! Contacts: Jessica Coache and Sandy Clarke.

Christmas Shop

A Fair-goers favorite! Cathy Allen brings her love of all things Christmas to create our 2023 Christmas and Holiday Shop. Dust off your donations of gently-used Christmas decor and decorations and leave them marked “Christmas” in the small classroom opposite Greg’s office starting August 1.

Children's Books/Youth Room

Children’s and Young Adult books your family has outgrown are bound to be loved by another. Our book sales have supported many teachers and classrooms with our past family favorites. Dust off your donations and stack them on or under the tables at the very end of the classroom hallway (starting Sunday, July 30). Contact: Ann Mehta

Free Kids Games

Ring-toss and Cornhole, and anything else we can pull together welcome kids to play on our side lawn. We can offer small pumpkins again for painting, if we have an adult or older youth willing to assist with this activity. Contact: Sandy Clarke, Elizabeth Tustian

Books

A whole room full of books! Be sure to visit this classroom to stock up on your winter reading! Always a great selection, neatly displayed, and the price is always right. Dust off your donations and leave them on or under the tables at the end of the classroom hallway, starting Sunday, July 30. Contacts: Kathy and Don Copson

Bake Shoppe

Serious yum! Our Fair pleases all those with a sweet tooth! We have many talented bakers, and they make amazing treats for enjoying at the Fair or for taking home. We hope to schedule a Fall pie-baking night in our awesome kitchen to share the fun of apple peeling, sugar, and spice. Watch your email for additional information, with requests and directions on when and where to bring your yummy donations, or reach out to the Bake Shop Fair Chairs: Beth Marascio, Sydney Turner

Treasury and Finance Team

There are sit-down jobs for counting money, and there are “runners” who collect money from assigned venues throughout the day to be counted by the team, This is a well-tuned operation managed by Mark Dooley, and Assistant Treasurer Nancy Lomas.

Fudge

An age-old Fair tradition! We are blessed to have great fudge makers in our midst, and our Fair patrons expect fudge every year. We welcome all fudge makers! Watch for directions on how we are packaging for consistency. Fudge is sold from the Bake Shop/Parish Hall. Contact: Sarah Wells

Popcorn

Robyne Jerome and Nancy Miskowiec have taken on the challenge to prep, pop, and serve delicious popcorn all day! Be sure to get yours on Fair day, before we sell out!

Hot Dog Stand

Our Hot Dog Stand is handled by Steve Geiser and Boy Scout Troop #12, who are based here at Plymouth Church. They do it all!

Setup and Breakdown of Carports and Popups

This is a fun-loving group of strong-backed folk who meet a few times before the Fair to put up carports, rain covers, and move tables. They also arrive on Fair day, by 8:00 a.m., to set out more tables and chairs for outside eating. Can you help here? Contact: Sandy Clarke.

Cleaning Up

A couple of beloved church elves have been known to show up at 2:00 p.m. with vacuums! We need folks (who have not been working all day) to help box up classroom leftovers, pack them away into the Fair closets, and drive White Elephant leftovers to Savers. Can you help here? Contact: Sandy Clarke

Other Help We Could Use…

  • Loan of a car port or popup tent or small patio furniture

  • Face Painting: Can you do this or recommend an artist?

  • Welcoming: Greeting, offering direction, handing out flyers

  • Advertising: Assisting with placement and retrieval of lawn signs

  • 2:30 p.m. Drivers with Vans: taking White elephant leftovers to Savers and Goodwill donation box in Sudbury (by 4:00 p.m.).