The fifth annual Christmas Bazaar and Book Sale raised nearly $3,000 to support the Oglethorpe County Library and its programs and resources.
“The event has morphed from an outreach sale to one of our primary fundraising activities,” said Babs DeArmond, vice president of the Friends of the Oglethorpe County Library.
Several hundred people attended the bazaar on Dec. 6 at No. 3 Railroad Street in Arnoldsville.
Originally intended to be a standard book sale with five gift baskets, it was quickly realized that the gift baskets were the main attraction. This year, 90 of the 100 donated baskets were sold.
The most popular themed baskets included gardening, cooking, spa and the University of Georgia. The bazaar also offered a selection of handcrafted items, such as felt ornaments, jewelry, spa gifts and potpourri, all of which were donated by community members and volunteers.
“We get people coming from all over the county to buy the gift baskets and various things,” said Jean Westmacott, the secretary of the Friends of the Oglethorpe Library. “But they also come from Athens, and it’s really a convivial atmosphere.”
All proceeds from the Christmas Bazaar support the Oglethorpe County Library, funding the children’s summer reading program, weekly crafts and events for families and children, new books, electronics and furniture for the library and the Dolly Parton Reading Imagination Library program, which donates books to children.
“By raising money for our library, we help fulfill our mission to increase literacy in Oglethorpe County and assist the library to be a meeting place for families, provide communication, computers, internet, etc. for the community,” DeArmond said.