"We needed a new big fundraiser for our PTO, and this has worked," said Smith Middle School PTO treasurer Kandi Sharp, explaining the origins of the holiday mall two years ago. The third annual event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school, 645 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville.
The PTO makes money from the event by charging registration fees for crafters, direct sales vendors, and yard sale retailers. Spaces are still available. The yard sale will be held in the school's cafeteria, and the crafters and vendors will be located in the gymnasium. To ensure a variety of vendor offerings, direct sales companies are restricted to one representative apiece.
As of Nov. 19, the offerings at the holiday mall were slated to include customized T-shirts and other items, vinyl signs, wooden signs, crocheted dishcloths and woven baskets, quillows, tote bags, Pampered Chef products, LuLaRoe clothing, dog treats, Paparazzi jewelry, Mary Kay cosmetics, candles, ornaments, and decorative items made by Smith student Lily Gavin.
The PTO will sell coffee and doughnuts for the early crowd, with hot dogs, soup, and nacho chips with cheese for lunch. Baked goods will be available all day. The Smith Singers will sell hot chocolate, and choir members will accept donations for singing carols.
"(This is) an opportunity for several groups within the school to be involved," Sharp said, noting that in addition to the Smith Singers, P.R.I.D.E. ambassadors, Student Senate participants, and National Junior Honor Society members will assist in various aspects of the holiday mall. "The event benefits the school greatly, but it also involves many students."
The PTO has raised several hundred dollars at each of the previous two holiday malls. The group uses the funds to support student activities, such as field trips. The eighth-grade classes will be visiting Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, and the PTO is paying for transportation. "Busing is really expensive. We cover the cost so (the students) can afford to go," Sharp said. "We (also) give money to each team of teachers to use at their discretion."
Currently, the PTO has an annual budget of $3,000. "We would love it to be bigger because we'd like to give teachers more," Sharp remarked.
The holiday mall is a good way to bring community members into Smith, Sharp suggested. "A big part of this is reaching beyond people who have children in the school," she said.
The PTO is planning additional activities for every month through the end of the year, and community members are encouraged to make note. The Mother/Son Night of Fun will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, and the faculty members vs. students basketball game will be played on Friday, Feb. 28. A family-friendly bingo will be held in March, and a beach-themed party is slated for April. "It's an opportunity for incoming students to mingle with current students and teachers," Sharp said of the beach party.
Additionally, the PTO wraps up each school year with a pool party for eighth-graders and a recognition night for matriculating students.
For more information about the PTO or the holiday mall or to reserve a space to sell items at the event, readers may email smithpto@solanco.org.
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