Fall Bazaar at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church raises funds for holiday outreach projects

St. Mary’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church raised funds for its outreach projects at the 27th annual Women of St. Mary’s All Church Fall Bazaar on Saturday.

The event at the church included an old-fashioned rummage sale, boutique shopping and a crafts sale of handmade items.

Fall Bazaar Coordinator Gail Voorhes said some of the fundraiser proceeds will go toward its Christmas Giving Tree program. Children from about 80 families sign up for items they would like for Christmas. Then the children’s names and their desired gifts are placed on an ornament and hung on a Christmas Tree. Donors buy the gifts and turn them in to St. Mary’s, where families are able to pick them up before Christmas.

Proceeds also go toward a Shoes, Socks, Underwear and Jacket program, Voorhes said. Children choose these items at the Walmart store in Poway and the church pays for them. The program is held at the beginning of the school year in August and again in January.

“These are all Ramona children who benefit,” Voorhes said. “They’re wonderful programs.”