Holiday Craft Festival & Food Drive Brings Joy

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEW WINDSOR – “They have hand-crafted, really unique things here you just can’t find at a mall or any big store,” said Maria Spencer. “They make for some really special and memorable gifts.”

Spencer, owner of Red Aspen, which features press on nails, reusable makeup and tanning merchandise, was one of 25 vendors offering authentic, personally-made merchandise available at Saturday’s third annual Holiday Craft Fair & Food Drive, hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 1796 inside of their 29 Walnut Street, New Windsor locale. Held on “Small Business Saturday,” the well-attended event falls in the midst of “the season of giving,” featuring a simultaneously run food drive. This year, Saint Marianne Cope Parish, a fusion of The Roman Catholic Churches of St Thomas of Canterbury Church in Cornwall and Saint Joseph Church in New Windsor, picked up the donated, non-perishable items, distributing them to their respective communities. All funds raised from the event went to community members in need as well as local veteran organizations. Continuous holiday music accompanied the five hour event, which included an impressive-sized 50-50 which could be seen rapidly filling up at the front door, hot food and baked goodies available for sale and the exciting opportunity to place raffle tickets in a wide array of paper bag options, containing elusive, original treasures.

“What’s really nice about this event is each one of the 25 vendors donated one of their items for the raffle ticket fundraiser,” said Lisa VanNostrand, President of the Ladies Auxiliary. “It’s just so nice to see the camaraderie and the members of family as well as the community coming out to support our veterans and American Legion today.”

Guests were treated to a wide selection of one-of-a-kind purchases inside the “shopping venue” space. Here, booths contained names such as; Tastefully Simple with chock-filled, food basket selections, Elegancia TOTAL and their intricately designed jewelry, Holistic Harmony Healthy Living with an eclectic selection of oils, creams and other all natural, homeopathic treatments options, Christopher’s Rings-N-Things, Glo Green and many, many more. Some overseeing the tables were returnees; while others were experiencing their first time at the holiday community event.

“What really appealed to us when we came across it was the fact that it’s a holiday craft fair, something we really like to come to,” said Sister Virginia, who is involved with A Women’s Empowerment Project, an initiative in Newburgh Ministry and the Presentation Sisters, selling “handcrafted with love” beautifully designed jewelry, book marks key chains and wreaths. “Everyone involved with the Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion has been very helpful, and we are just so very delighted to be here.”

Another vendor, Sherrie Tillman, who has run Stones Bath and Body Shop for the past 10 years, was also making her first appearance at the Craft Festival. Her colorful table was filled with a host of bath bombs, bubble bars and body wash items, each resembling a type of mouth-watering food, such as cupcakes pie and other enticing allurements, creating a steady flow of visitors.

“This is just a really nice event that is so well organized,” said Tillman. “I have really enjoyed being here, particularly during the holiday season.”

Holding fundraisers-aimed at supporting both the community and its veterans- throughout the year, the 50 member Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 1796 will host their next fundraiser on March 29, 2025, when the band Cruise Control will take the stage, delivering lively, popular music. The event will also include a 50-50, an ensemble of hot food items as well as a $10 cash donation at the door.