Monthly craft sales, basket raffles benefit organizations in Orleans County

Provided photos: Bob Stilwell and Jennifer Stilwill of Make a Difference Recue of WNY have a display set up in the fairgrounds for today’s event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. MAD Rescue of WNY rescues, rehabilitates and adopts abandoned, abused and neglected dogs of Puerto Rico.

Today’s event at Fairgrounds will raise funds for Make a Difference Rescue of WNY

This trio organizes the monthly craft sales that benefit local organizations. From left include Michelle Wiseman, co-owner of Best of Tymes Party Rental, Gertrud Montulli of Sewing With a Twist, and Beth Kidney.

KNOWLESVILLE – A trio has been organizing monthly craft sales and basket raffles to raise money for charities and organizations in Orleans.

The effort is headed by Gertie Montulli, Michelle Wiseman and Beth Kidney. They started the monthly event at the Arnold Gregory Office Building in January. But moved to the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds to accommodate a bigger crowd and have more room for vendors, keeping them all on the same floor, Montulli said.

The first on event on Jan. 21 raised funds for Hope for Justice which focuses on human trafficking. The Feb. 18 event backed the Hands 4 Hope ministry.

The first event at the fairgrounds highlighted the Best of Tymes Bunny Run. Today the organization in focus is Make a Difference Recue of WNY or the MAD Rescue of WNY. It is led by Jennifer Stilwell of Albion and rescues, rehabilitates and adopts abandoned, abused and neglected dogs of Puerto Rico.

Montulli said $520 has already been raised for MAD Rescue of WNY with basket raffles to generate more today.

“We give all the proceeds from the fee of the craft vendors to the organization,” Montulli said. “If the organization would like to have a basket raffle we then ask all the vendors to donate a basket and the organization has to oversee the basket raffle.”

Montulli and the other organizers are looking for more organizations to benefit at the monthly events, including on Oct. 21 and Nov. 25. Any organizations interested in being highlighted at the craft vendor sale should contact Wiseman at (585) 820-0776. All charities or organizations must be located in Orleans County to be featured at the event, Montulli said.

The sale and basket raffles on May 27 will benefit the Medina Dog Park, June 17 will support Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in Albion, with the 4-H program highlighted on Sept. 16. There isn’t a craft vendor sale in July or August.