Holiday Bazaar Helps Support Those in Need

The Colton Women's Club (CWC) held its annual Holiday Bazaar two weekends ago, to raise funds that will go right back into helping the group continue to help their community. Over 20 vendors gathered at the Colton Women's Club clubhouse on Dec. 7, displaying everything from handmade jewelry to handmade quilts to Mary Kay makeup and other beauty products, and inviting local shoppers to purchase gifts for their loved ones and friends in time for the holiday season. Local community advocate, Dr. Luis Gonzalez — "Dr. G" — provided the soundtrack for the event, which spanned from the mid-morning to early afternoon hours. Olivia Fredricks has been a club member for just over a year and came to support the CWC by selling Mary Kay makeup. Members Judy Dishaw and Lauri Edwards have both been members of the CWC for a year and set up a table to inform locals of the work the club has done in eliminating needs throughout the world. After joining the club last year, Dishaw and Edwards were sponsored by the CWC to travel to Mexico and help with the La Damas de La Salina Helping Hands organization. "Laurie and I help with the yearly yard sale that helps the school," Dishaw said. "They raised $1,700 in June from the yard sale this year. The community there is really good about supporting this cause. Laurie and I also help with the monthly food bank. The club members gives us food donations, school supplies and used clothing that we take to Mexico. The food bank there in Mexico provides beans, rice and flour. The helping hands committee supplements the rest with canned goods, fresh produce and anything else they can get from the community." Ruth Cervantes, the club's publicity chair, shared she was proud of the event turnout and plans to assure the events return next year. “Our purpose is to support the community and that is the reason why we are all here,” she said, explaining that the funds raised through vendor space fees will go toward helping the club provide services to those in need in the area, who are most often times children. Club President Peggy Reagan said, "I'm proud of the support we have had and the wonderful turnout of the bazaar." [END] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: In a modest community center room you will see plenty of women of all ages at work in support of their community. Each table will be set up with vendors who are selling things from jewelry, Mary Kaye and quilts. Each vendor will give a portion to the Women’s Club so that they could continue to donate to the many organizations they assist such as Santa Inc. who will receive assistance to serve the children in their community for the holidays. The first table you will see when you enter will be the exquisite jewelry of Norma Gomez whose niece Millie Moreno is assisting her. The jewelry was a classy display of fine jewelry at its best. As you proceed you will enter a room that appeared to a modest replica of Santa’s village. The room was filled with Christmas decorations, quilts, food and music all made available to the public for purchase for a good cause. Causes that were bigger than meets the eye. Ruth Cervantes, Chairwoman, could be seen scurrying about the room in a busy motion. As she served the vendors and customers that came to support their efforts. While you are viewing the many options in the room you can hear Christmas music playing due to the extraordinary pianist Dr. Gonzalez (Dr. G.) as many in the Colton area knows him. Dr. Gonzalez, who is running for City Council next year, is an avid volunteer for the Women’s Club and loves supporting their events. However, what would impress you more is the history within the room. For example, the Women’s Club was founded in 1900, started as a book with fifty members, consisting of members of the Federations of Women Club. During the thirty’s Great Depression many women would leave the club to tend to issues at home. The remaining members would band together to keep the club alive. During WWII, the club would volunteer to assist and aid the soldiers. Eventually, through their efforts and commitment the property was paid off and the assurance of the club’s stability would be sustain. Lois Fisher, a mother of three and married to her husband of 50 years, has been a member for over seven years and she proudly provide this piece of history. Olivia Fredricks, a new member of a year and a half, would come and support by selling her Mary Kay and inviting her Mary Kay Director to enjoy the festivities as well. Judy Dishaw and Lauri Edwards have both been members for a year. They invited their friend Debbie Garcia so that she could experience the perks of being a member. Both were enthused to inform others about the good that the club has done by sending food, clothes, books, and school supplies to a small village school in Los Salina, Mexico. Judy Dishaw’s sister in law, Ellie Dishaw, lives in Mexico and volunteers at the school. She and Judy connected about the needs of the school and the club was more than happy to help. Dr. G was a great addition to the evening. A wonderful pillar of the community, who taught at Colton High for 18 years, and CSUSB. A graduate of University Cincinnati who received his PH.D in music. He is well known in the City of Colton for his contribution to preserving the history of the city, being involved and encouraging the business growth. He feels his efforts will be best fit in the office of the City Council. Ruth Cervantes was a gracious host and she was proud of the successful turnout and plans to assure the events return next year. “Our purpose is to support the community and that is the reason why we are all here.” This statement could definitely be seen in the room by their communications, laughter, goals, and golden relationships. President Peggy Reagan, who was just as busy as Ruth being attentive to the volunteers, vendors, and customers took some time out to say that she was proud of the support and the wonderful turnout of the Bazaar. ===================================== I joined the Colton Women's Club a year ago. During this time I found out that they have an International Department. Our club was not active in this area at the time. I asked them if they would be willing to sponsor Laurie Edwards and myself in going to Mexico and helping with the "La Damas de La Salina Helping Hands." A motion was made in one of our meetings to support us in this endeavor and the motion carried. Laurie and I help with the yearly yard sale that helps the school. They raised $1700.00 in June from the Yard sale this year. The community there is really good about supporting this cause. Laurie and I also help with the monthly food bank. The club members gives us food donations, school supplies and used clothing that we take to Mexico. The food bank there in Mexico provides, beans, rice and flour. The helping hands committee suppliment the rest with can goods, fresh produce and anything else they can get from the community. Thank you Kim for your interest in this. Judy Dishaw Judy Dishaw ====================== Colton Women's Club Christmas Bazaar Date: Saturday, December 07, 2013 Time: 9:00 a.m. Google Map Event Location: Women's Club Clubhouse Address: 745 N. 7th St. Colton CA 92324 Description: Thru 2 p.m. Santa Claus is coming to town! Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Vendors welcome $20/table. Crafts, holiday items & more. CONTACT INFO Phone: Ruth Cervantes 909-521-7034