In addition to raising funds for local causes, this year's Ribbons of Hope Christmas Craft Fair will feature a raffle and spaghetti dinner to raise money for coastal families affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Brandon Bonn, a student at North Rome Christian School, will raise funds and collect donations for his sister, Vanessa Bonn, and at least four other needy young families living near Long Beach, N.Y., one of the coastal towns devastated by the storm.
"The damage there is catastrophic, and many peoples' homes have been damaged or simply destroyed, like my sister's," he said. "Most are not property owners, so they are just simply displaced with all their belongings gone."
Bonn said he received the names of other people in need through the American Red Cross and Catholic Charities. None of the families Bonn plans to donate to had insurance. Bonn said the area in which the families live is largely populated with young adults just starting out who, in many instances, lost everything they owned.
Bonn plans on collecting cash donations at this weekend's craft fair. A spaghetti dinner and raffle will also be held to raise money, with the top prize being a one-hour session with Red Door Photography in Sayre.
Bonn also organized a bake sale at the event to raise money for the prom and other junior class projects at NRCS, and the Ribbons of Hope Foundation will sell chili, hot dogs and chicken and biscuits to raise funds for the foundation's area scholarship programs.
However, with last year's local flooding still fresh in Bonn's mind, he said helping his sister and others in need is his top priority. "I don't think anybody should have to go through this again," he said.
Those who can't make the Ribbons of Hope craft fair, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Sayre VFW on West Lockhart Street, can call Bonn at (570) 247-2089 to make arrangements for donations.
Amanda Renko can be reached at (570) 888-9652; or email: arenko@thedailyreview.com.
