Residents of The Glades at ChampionsGate, an independent, assisted living and memory care community in ChampionsGate, came together to plan and host a holiday bazaar at the senior living community in December. The bazaar, which featured art and crafts made by residents and local purveyors raised more than $3,600. Residents plan to donate the funds to a worthy cause.
Resident Jan Lund planned the holiday bazaar for the second year. Lund said the idea came to her after the community hosted a swap and shop. One of her neighbors brought an arm full of crafts to sell, which gave her the idea to plan a dedicated craft fair.
“I have never been a crafter and never planned a craft show, but I saw a need and everything just kind of fell into place,” said Lund. “I was looking for a way to get involved in the community and there it was. Last year was our first year and it was amazing. This year was even better.”
In addition to planning the bazaar, Lund tried her hand at making a craft this year. She made 12 Christmas trees from materials purchased at the local Dollar Tree. Other residents made wreaths and holiday-themed figurines. While local artisans also sold items such as luminaries and stockings.
Lund also found a way to get less-crafty residents involved.
“I assigned a volunteer to each vendor to help them unpack and sticker items and they stayed at the booth all day as a second set of hands,” said Lund. “At the end of the day, new friendships were formed and residents were exchanging phone numbers.”
For only the second year hosting this event, Lund said it was a huge success. And next year should be even better.
Located in ChampionsGate, Florida, The Glades at Champions Gate is a 223-apartment independent, assisted living and memory care community located at 8400 Champions Gate Blvd.
