Ethan Hoagland
Each year, members of the Sweet Home community come together to help raise money for one of their own battling cancer. Held by Bodacious Babes, this year’s Holiday Craft and Vendor Event will be held on Nov. 10 and 11 at Sweet Home High School.
“It’s actually kinda nice because it replaces an old Christmas bazaar,” said Gina Riley, event coordinator for Bodacious Babes. “All of the funds there go to our recipient.”
The group picks one Sweet Home community member to benefit from the funds. Riley, along with a committee, picks the recipient based on criteria like whether they live in Sweet Home.
This year’s event boasts more than 50 vendors, most of them local. Coffee Cart and Fair Share Gleaners will be among the local offerings. Hours on Friday, Nov. 10 stretch from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
According to Riley, the group has seen substantial growth over the years.
“I went back through my files,” Riley said, “and our first person that we had an event for, her check was $600 and she was just thrilled because it was in November and it helped her out immensely.”
Since then, the group has raised funds ten times that amount.
“I think our highest check has been $6,000 and it was a couple years ago, and the family had a wonderful Christmas,” Riley said. “We average about $3,000 to $4,000 to be able to give to the recipient.”
This year’s recipient is battling breast cancer. They will be named at an event on November 17.