The second annual Cedar Grove Elementary School Festive Family Fun-Raiser is sure to live up to its name with crafts for the kids, a visit from Santa, a silent auction, evergreen swag decorating, live music, great food and fantastic shopping opportunities on Nov. 30.
The Fun-Raiser starts at 10 a.m. at the school on Chaster Road and ends at 2 p.m. Santa will arrive at noon and stay until 1:30 p.m. for photos with the kids, courtesy of Giggle 'n Bloom.
Parents can buy tickets for their kids to make holiday-themed crafts while they shop the numerous local businesses selling their wares.
Erin Kellie, Cedar Grove PAC co-chair, said the school already has "a number of local home party businesses" lined up.
"There will also be some local crafters and local small businesses," Kellie said, noting more vendors are welcome to book a table by contacting Christine Turner at [email protected] or by calling 604-886-4842.
Artists performing at the Fun-Raiser include Bonar Harris, Arbutus Sounds Chorus and Dance Works Academy.
Last year the PAC-sponsored event raised $1,300 and the money went to fund things like student field trips, guest speakers and some new gym equipment for the school.
This year proceeds will go towards a new outdoor classroom/play structure for students.
"This summer the small playground that was located at the front of the school was removed as it was deemed unsafe. There is a feeling that something needs to replace it, but we already have a wonderful new playground on the school grounds. So we came up with the idea that something more natural, maybe made of logs, could be done. We were inspired by a structure that exists in Whistler," Kellie said.
"Building on this there is a feeling on the Coast pushing for more outdoor education, and we thought it might be a good opportunity for us to build a structure that was multi-purposed. In addition our school is lacking in any covered outdoor play areas for our children to use during rainy days so the idea has become to build an outdoor log play structure with undercover play and learning area, which would be available for the teacher to use during classroom hours for outside instruction and free play during recess and before and after school hours."
The PAC isn't sure exactly how much the new structure will cost, but they're ready to start fundraising now and all proceeds from the Festive Family Fun-Raiser will go toward the effort.
"We have a committee who will be researching the details and costing of this structure," Kellie added.
