The Cherokee Foundation for Education will have more than 70 vendors, photos with Santa Claus, crafts for kids and more.
Since its founding in 2010, the Cherokee Foundation for Education has raised funds to support academic achievements at Cherokee High School.
While extracurricular activities such as athletics or the band may have their own booster clubs and additional financial support, the Cherokee Foundation for Education focuses on helping all students, especially through those smaller, often academically-based clubs and activities that can become overlooked at a school with nearly 2,200 students.
Now, in its mission to support those clubs and activities, the foundation is gearing up for its “Winterfest Holiday Craft Show” set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 17, in Cherokee’s North Cafeteria.
That day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., locals can visit booths featuring more than 70 local artisans and vendors.
With the event being held just weeks away from Hanukkah, Christmas and other major winter holidays, organizers are promoting the show as a way to grab gifts for holiday shopping lists.
“We’ll have bath and body supplies, holiday decor, ornaments, women’s and kids’ accessories and more,” foundation treasurer Lisa Michaud said.
Keeping with the holiday theme, families are invited to bring their kids for pictures with Santa Claus while listening to holiday music throughout the event from Cherokee’s choirs.
Also, before or after kids get that special keepsake with Santa, the Cherokee Art Club will be on hand at the event’s “Kids Corner” to offer instruction on holiday-themed make-and-take kids crafts.
Speaking to the mission of the foundation as a whole, Michaud encouraged members of the public to come and support the craft show so the foundation can continue to support the kids at Cherokee.
Listing just some of the accomplishments of the foundation, Michaud pointed to donations such as a violin for the music department, funding academic field trips, assisting with travel costs for the Cherokee Choir when the group was invited to perform at the White House and even providing donations of iPads for woodshop students to get them used to using technology they might need in their career field for creating invoices, estimates and other documents.
Thinking to more recent donations, Michaud noted the purchase of a 3D printer for the school media center, as well as funding of college speakers and financial aid speakers who visit Cherokee to speak to students about their future.
“We need parents to become active members to join us for the year to support our two major fundraisers and support our yearlong fundraisers,” Michaud said. “We need adults who are interested in finding ways to support their students and their school.”
Also, during the craft show itself on Nov. 17, attendees are invited to visit the foundation’s “Your Dollars at Work” table to learn more about how the money the foundation raises is used to support academics at Cherokee.
Those looking to learn more about the foundation can visit www.cherokeefoundation4education.com.
Michaud is also asking parents to considering volunteering to become a foundation member and show their support toward the group’s mission.
