Zion adds rummage sale to annual event

Members of Zion Lutheran Church in Leola love to share the love of Christ with the community. "In August, (we hold a) Water Slide Day, and we like to have souvenirs for the kids to take with them to know that Jesus is with them," explained church member Pat Kohler. "Over the years, we have collected a lot of those kinds of things." Instead of just leaving those giveaway items in storage, organizers of the Holiday Craft Show decided to add a rummage sale to the annual event.

The Zion Lutheran Holiday Craft Show and Rummage Sale will be held at the church, 18 Quarry Road, Leola, on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Popular activities such as the cookie walk and cookie decorating will return, along with food for purchase and a number of crafters selling handmade items. Zion members will also have a table of items for sale. "We will have Christmas balls and beautiful jewelry, among other items," said organizer Patty Williams.

Holiday items that are hallmarks of the event include decorative replicas of snowmen, Santas, and reindeer. Wreaths in a variety of colors and burlap and pinecone trees will also be featured. Among the many craft items that will be available for purchase in addition to holiday crafts are woodcrafts, jewelry, clothing accessories, wall hangings, primitives, and decorated glassware.

The rummage sale will feature new and gently used items. Ribbons and wrapping paper will be available as will children's books, stickers, play money, Bible-themed stamps, decorative tins, notebooks, cups, items used to make crafts and school supply items. Craft kits for children and painted wooden waterfowl replicas are among the gathered items. "We have so much to offer our community from our storage," said Kohler, who explained that rummage sale items will be available by donation. "It's take-what-you-want and pay-what-you-will," said Kohler, who noted donation buckets will be available on the sale tables. "We are very excited about getting these items into the community's hands," she said. "(Buyers) won't be disappointed. Everyone will go home with something."

The cookie walk, which has long been a tradition at the bazaar, will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until the cookies are gone. "Some people come just for the cookie walk," pointed out Kohler.

Children may take part in a cookie decorating activity for a nominal fee, and a special shopping area for children will also be offered. Vendors and church members will provide donated items for door prizes, and door prize winners will be chosen every half hour.

Williams said that food items will be available for purchase at the show, including vegetable soup, chicken corn noodle soup, hot dogs and sauerkraut.

Past craft shows have raised $2,500, which was donated to Lutheran Disaster Relief. Williams said she hopes to raise that much for Lutheran Disaster Relief again this year.

Readers who would like to know more about the event may visit http://www.zionleola.org or call 717-656-9200.