EAST LONGMEADOW — A fall fair featuring local crafters, artisans, vendors, food and raffles will return to St. Michael’s Parish on Oct. 3, offering residents an opportunity to get an early start on holiday shopping while supporting neighbors in need.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society Fall Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. The event will feature 36 crafters, artisans and vendors, with offerings both indoors and outdoors.
“This will be the second year of holding the fair, which was very successful last year,” said Toni Raczkowski, chair of the fair.
Shoppers can expect a mix of items, including wood decor, florals, jewelry, papercrafts, fused glass, original artwork, scented products, ornaments, baked goods and sewn items. Visitors will also have the opportunity to make and decorate their own hat.
“We have something for everyone, including both fall and holiday themed,” Raczkowski said.
The fair will also include a raffle, with each vendor donating one of their unique creations. And for those looking for a sweet fall treat, freshly made cider donuts from The Apple Place bakery will be available.
While the fair offers an opportunity to shop and enjoy the season, its primary purpose is to raise money for the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s efforts to assist people throughout the local community.
“The Fall Fair is our largest fundraiser and will allow us to continue our work to help the poor and needy in our local community,” Raczkowski said.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is a Catholic lay organization separate from St. Michael’s Parish, although Raczkowski said the society relies heavily on the support of the parish and its pastor, Father Wayne, and his staff. Assistance is provided regardless of a person’s religious affiliation.
Funds raised through the fair help the society provide both traditional and less conventional forms of assistance. That can include help with rent, food and utilities, as well as car payments, car insurance, cell phone bills and funeral expenses.
The society also assists formerly incarcerated individuals as they work to re-enter society. Last year, its volunteers purchased food, prepared meals and served more than 3,000 meals at homeless shelters in Springfield.
Among the most difficult situations volunteers encounter are homeless families, including some living in their cars. While the society cannot provide housing, it can connect families with agencies that may be able to help and provide food and other necessities while they work toward finding shelter and, ultimately, stable housing.
The society’s reach extends well beyond East Longmeadow.
“The St. Vincent de Paul Society of East Longmeadow covers a 25-mile radius, including four counties and 20 local towns,” Raczkowski said.
During person-to-person visits, Vincentian volunteers work in pairs to help individuals identify their most immediate needs and determine what assistance would be most helpful.
For Raczkowski, that personal connection is at the heart of the organization’s mission.
“We serve. We just serve. Everyone,” she said, quoting a national director. “We are called to offer love without conditions, assistance without judgment and presence without expectation of return.”
The Fall Fair will take place Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Michael’s Parish. Proceeds will support the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s ongoing efforts to assist individuals and families throughout the local community.
