SOUTHWICK — When Bill Gore and his sister Deb Gore began planning for a craft fair and raffle being held Saturday at Whalley Park to raise money for the care of the Police Department’s K9 unit, they were hoping to surprise the department with the proceeds from the event, but the word got out.
“Well, we hoped to keep it a secret, it didn’t work out that way,” said Bill Gore with a chuckle about the fundraiser being held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 10, rain or shine.
Deb Gore said the plan was to make an excuse for Sgt. Michael Westcott to go to Whalley Park with General, the K-9 unit, and present him with the money raised during the event.
“That kind of went out the window after we started putting out flyers and posting it on Facebook,” Deb Gore said.
The fair and raffle will be held inside the pavilion at Whalley Park, so if it’s raining, it shouldn’t be an issue.
The weather forecast says there will be some rain in the morning but it should be clearing out later in the day.
Deb Gore said she and her brother decided to hold the fundraiser because the town only provides $1,200 each year for the upkeep of General, which Westcott confirmed.
“That’s what we get for food, vet bills, training toys, and specialized training,” Westcott said.
“I can’t thank them enough. This will really help with those things,” Westcott said of the Gores, the vendors, and the businesses that donated items and gift cards for the rattle.
There will be 29 crafters at the fair offering a variety of items including vendors with homemade candles and soaps, laser cutting and engraving gifts, pottery, stained glass, handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, home décor, and more.
Deb Gore while shoppers peruse the vendors, raffle tickets will be sold for a host of items donated by local businesses, and her brother.
An 8-foot Douglas fur picnic table built by Bill Gore will be one of the items raffled.
Gifts cards of various amounts have been donated by several area businesses, including $50 from Kettlebread Deli Restaurant, $25 from Big Y, $25 from The Bubble Café at Pottery Cellar located at The Mill at Crane Pond, and Blossoming Acres will be raffling off a pie, she said.
But those are only a few items, Deb Gore said there will be baskets featuring dog and cat stuff, a tea basket, and a bucket of car supplies from NAPA.
Many people in town will know that Deb and Bill Gore have been holding craft fair at the Hash House for a few years, and two years ago decided to hold a fundraising fair for the Southwick Animal Shelter.
“I was a real success,” she said.
In addition to the fundraising fair, the Friends of the Southwick Dog Park will be soliciting for new members.
“We need people to support our effort,” said Diane Gale with the FSDP. Gale will also be part of the craft fair offering jewelry she creates by hand.
Deb Gore asked that no one bring any items to be donated, like food, toys, or pet supplies.
