The Mistletoe Market, a holiday themed fundraiser for Wakefield High School’s Parent Teacher Student Association, will take place on November 14 at the school from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.  Various vendors and shoppers have flocked the event in the past for its cheery atmosphere, as well as its unique items to purchase. This year, the event will celebrate its fifteenth annual occasion; members of the PTSA, students, and teachers all share the growing excitement for what the Mistletoe Market has in store for this edition.

The Mistletoe Market serves solely as a fundraiser for the PTSA. The majority of the profits received go towards completing yearly tasks for the organization.

“The Mistletoe Market Holiday Fair is PTSA’s only fundraising event,” said DeBora King, technology manager for the Mistletoe Market. “It helps us fund programs throughout the year such as the Lamp of Knowledge Breakfast, Honor Roll Certificates, Teacher Grants, Multicultural Festival, and many more.”

The PTSA gains a significant amount to of money due to this event. Being their primary source of revenue, the pressure is on to ensure that profit goals are met.

However, last year the event proved a huge success, raising over thirty-eight thousand dollars. To ensure future prosperity, the PTSA actively takes into consideration the improvements that can be made.

“Every year, as a team of PTSA volunteers, we evaluate what went well at our event and what we can improve on,” said Lynn Stuchel, Vendor Coordinator for the Mistletoe Market. “We make changes, make improvements, and every year generates a greater volume of shoppers.”

In years past, the Mistletoe Market has attracted a wide variety of people, including many students and community members. To match the audience, this year’s diverse vendors are fit to entice shoppers of all kind.

“We have something for everyone,” said Stuchel. “From hand poured candles and soap, to custom doll clothes, to re-purposed wood signs, to blown glass, to holiday decor.”

Shopping and visiting the event is just as common as volunteering; student organizations and clubs play a key role in making the event function properly. By helping out, students gain service hours for the clubs they are participating in.

“It’s a great opportunity for service hours that directly help out Wakefield High School,” said Junior Emma Finn, Beta Club Volunteer. “I really enjoyed going to the event in the past, so I figured that it would be cool to be part of the wonderful group of people who put it all together this year.”

School club members do not just volunteer; some clubs take part by setting up their own tables. The FCCLA club does exactly this; it sets up its own gift-wrapping and gift-card raffling table.

“For the last few years we’ve had a gift wrapping table,” said Irma Bode, FCCLA club advisor. “We’ll have students, FCCLA members, and parents set up the gift wrapping table. We just take donations, so we don’t charge a fixed rate.”

Last year, the club was able to bring in a substantial profit that allowed them to fund for their club activities.

“We were able to raise over 200 dollars from the gift raffle that we needed to fund our induction ceremony, and offset the cost that might come up for a student who can’t afford registration to go to a meet,” said Bode.

Aside from the beneficial aspects of the Mistletoe Market, it serves for many as a nudge into the beginning of the holiday season.

“I love the festive atmosphere,” said Bode. “I think it’s what gets me in the mood for Christmas and I love the people. There’s lots of people–everybody’s happy. There’s holiday music playing, and I even get to slip away and do some shopping.”

Despite the Christmas theme, Scrooges are welcome too. The Mistletoe Market is open to all types of people.

“I encourage anybody who has a creative eye, enjoys shopping, eating, and/or would like to find inspiration for their own ideas to come on out to Mistletoe Market,” said Finn.

The PTSA puts in hard work to make this event run smoothly and effectively. The Mistletoe Market would not be made possible without all of its help from students and teachers.

“I would also like to thank Mr. Bazzell for including Mistletoe Market messages in his weekly Principal’s Message,” said Stuchel. “Mr. Orsett for helping us with the pipes and drapes in the Commons area, Coach Riggleman for not only sharing his gyms with us but also having all of the equipment moved to the sides, and Mr. Mullinax for sharing his choral risers for the basket raffle.  We appreciate the staff sharing their carts with us so the student volunteers can move the vendors in and out, and speaking of student volunteers, they are invaluable!”

This year’s Mistletoe Market is highly anticipated, and will hopefully prove to be another success. With the great number of visitors and vendors, everyone is encouraged to attend the event.

“This is the only school event that brings together this magnitude of people in our community of all different ages and backgrounds,” said King. “The whole festive atmosphere is truly amazing.”