Friends cook and craft up a storm for the Stroud library
By Chris Simon

Photo by Chris Simon Hobbyist Jean Roden putters with some of her crafts at the Innisfil Public Library Stroud branch's annual craft and bake sale Saturday. The event is one of the main fundraisers for the branch, and helps provide financial support for several of its programs.

Mary Kinnear was up early Saturday morning, putting last minute touches on one of the Innisfil Public Library's largest annual fundraisers.

She wasn't alone. Several volunteers from the Friends of the Innisfil Public Library's Stroud branch were setting up tables, and decorating them with an assortment of crafts and baked goods. Last week, the Friends held their fourth annual craft and bake sale at the Stroud Arena. Over 32 crafters attended, displaying fresh cookies and soaps, and showcasing the rich colours of Christmas decorations, artificial flowers and jewelry.

"There's a bit of Halloween, a bit of Christmas here," said Kinnear, sitting in a green Friends smock.

For years, volunteers had been selling pies to raise money for the branch. While that initiative was successful, it was a lot of hard work. Instead, organizers decided to create the craft and bake sale, allowing volunteers to sell items they've carefully crafted as hobbies.

"It was getting to be too much for many of the ladies," said branch librarian Jayne Asselstine. "It was hours of work, but they were a big money maker for us. We were trying to figure out something different and new to do. We've had great success with this."

Money raised from the sale is used to purchase equipment for the library, and fund many of their children's programs. Recently, fundraising has helped pay for author visits, the Books for Babies program, and the purchase of a video projector, movie screen, furniture, and computers.

"It is the major fundraiser for the Stroud branch," said Asselstine. "We're happy with whatever we get. The Friends do all sorts of wonderful things for the library, there are different things they've been able to provide for us over the years, which we wouldn't have been able to get without their assistance."

Kinnear says the volunteers are continually dedicated to raising money for the library. Even local high school students participated in the event, setting up tables at 7 a.m.

"Very impressive," she said. "We've had high school students here, collecting volunteer hours."