Willamette Humane Society (WHS) will hold its annual Holiday Bazaar at the Thrift Store on November 12 and 13. The Thrift Store, located at 548 High St. NE in downtown Salem, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.
Holiday-themed items, such as tree decorations and lawn ornaments, will be available for purchase during the bazaar. Gifts, including jewelry and housewares, will also be available.
“We start preparing for the Holiday Bazaar months in advance,” said Kerilynn Capen, Thrift Store Manager. “Whenever donations come to us, we look for special items to set aside for our holiday shoppers. Every year, we have hundreds of boxes filled with goodies.”
In years past, savvy shoppers have crowded around the front door of the Thrift Store on the first day of the Holiday Bazaar, hoping to find treasures before others do.
“Here’s a secret,” Capen said. “We can’t possibly put every item on the floor when we open up on the first day. We bring out special things to replenish the stock throughout the entire Holiday Bazaar. Even if you come late on the second day, you’re still bound to find something special.”
The Holiday Bazaar is the Thrift Store’s most important fundraising opportunity of the year, and it’s difficult to launch.
“It’s all made possible by the donors and the tireless work of my volunteers and staff. I cannot stress enough the enormous effort our volunteers put into this endeavor. We triple our staffing levels leading up to, and throughout the bazaar. Often, we’re putting in 12-hour shifts for days at a time to ensure that everything goes smoothly,” Capen said.
“All our hard work goes to help the animals at the shelter. The Bazaar generates about five percent in extra revenue for the store, for that quarter,” Capen said. “That doesn’t sound like a lot, but trust me it makes a huge difference and none of it would be possible without the amazing efforts of our volunteers, staff and donors.”