Rain didn’t dampen spirits at Christmas in the Park
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FOLLANSBEE -- Though intermittent showers fell on Follansbee Park through much of the weekend, many turned out to browse the assorted goods sold by vendors there and get a little taste of the holiday season offered by Follansbee Christmas in the Park.
The notes of Christmas songs from more than five decades wafted through the air, and trees and fences through the park were decorated with lights, visible on Saturday evening, and ornaments made by students at Brooke Intermediate North and Brooke Primary North.
Santa Claus appeared early each afternoon to visit with children, and several life-size nutcrackers stood guard in the Follansbee Community House.
The figures were lent for the event by Nelson Fine Art and Gifts, creators of the ones found at Steubenville's Nutcracker Village.
In addition to providing indoor restroom accommodations for those attending the festival, the Community House is a center from which nonprofit groups share information.
Among them was the Follansbee Lions Club, whose members were selling chances on a gift basket and other prizes to support various community projects.
Rick Gaudio, a member of the group, said the club has provided dollars or volunteer time to vision screenings at local schools and the Follansbee R.E.A.C.H. Program, a local food pantry.
He said it lost a number of members in recent years and its charter but has rebounded, regaining its status with Lions International and bolstering its membership.
"Now we have female members, which we never had before," said Gaudio.
Among them is Rachel Bennett, who is a representative of Vitalant, a nonprofit blood service provider, who noted the entities will team up for a blood drive to be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Community House.
She said to encourage donations of blood, a monetary donation will be made to the Follansbee R.E.A.C.H. Program for each participant in the drive.
Information about the organization and making an appointment for the drive can be obtained at vitalant.org or by calling (304) 479-8067 or (412) 209-7000.
Also on hand were Michele Lewis and Sharon Giovannone of Refuge for Women, a national organization that aids women who are victims of sex trafficking.
Lewis said Refuge for Women operates several shelters in the U.S., including one in Pittsburgh, where the women may live temporarily while receiving instruction in job and life skills.
She confirmed many mistakenly believe sex trafficking occurs only in more urban areas, but victims can be found in lower populations, adding a number have been caught while traveling the interstate highways of this region.
Lewis said among the many who have been aided by Refuge for Women was a woman in her 50s who had been a victim since she was 10 due to the complicity of a family member.
She said Refuge for Women accepts donations of clothing, shoes and toiletries for the women it serves.
She and Giovannone were selling handbags, candles and other items made by the women.
Representatives of the Follansbee R.E.A.C.H. Program also were on hand, selling chances on various Christmas decorations.
The food pantry receives a portion of proceeds from the festival, which also raises money, through drawings and vendor fees, for local children with special medical needs and scholarships for Brooke High School students.
Follansbee Christmas in the Park was launched in 2003 by Bill Secrist and Kathy Santoro, who were then Follansbee Council members, and sought to establish a low-key festival that generated funds for local causes.
In addition to showcasing a wide variety of decorations and other household items produced by home-based entrepreneurs, it also offers fundraising opportunities for local churches and other nonprofit groups.
But one group that participates with no desire to make money are teachers in the Alpha Delta Kappa International educators sorority.
Each year they bring hundreds of books for all ages, which they offer free to the festival's attendees.
Among many perusing the assorted volumes were Taylor and Nick Provenzano of Follansbee, who were spending the afternoon with their 5-month old son, Laszlo.
Taylor said the family enjoyed exploring the park and while Laszlo peered out from a dry, heavy blanket, said they had thus far avoided heavy rain.
"It's not too bad. It's not too cold, and we're staying dry," she said.