Vendors will have an opportunity to display and sell their wares for a good cause during the upcoming Habitat for Humanity “ReStore” fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30 at the First Presbyterian Church of Bradford, 54 E. Corydon St.
The event will be hosted by the Pitt-Bradford and McKean County chapters of Habitat for Humanity, with proceeds to benefit both groups. Habitat for Humanity is described as a nonprofit organization that helps people in area communities and around the world build or improve a place they can call home.
Akili Young, historian for the Pitt-Bradford chapter of Habitat for Humanity, said this will be the first time for the fundraiser to be held at a venue in downtown Bradford. Last year’s event was held at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Young said the event is open to the public and all are welcome to shop or sell.
She said vendors will be charged $10 for one 8-foot table and two seats. Vendors will keep profits for the day.
“Any type of vendor is welcome … such as crafts, photographs, pottery, anything” including baked goods, she explained.
Young said Pitt-Bradford’s Habitat chapter, which is over a decade old, assists in building homes with Habitat McKean in the local area. She said Pitt-Bradford Habitat members have also helped paint a children’s room at the YWCA Bradford, filled bags for Warren County’s Backpackular event and provided games at Pumpkin Fest in Bradford.
She said approximately seven Pitt-Bradford Habitat members are also traveling to Durham, N.C., today to assist in building homes.
“It’s a spring break trip,” Young added. “We actually contacted other (Habitat for Humanity chapters) to see what they were working on” and if they needed help.
For its part, the McKean County Habitat for Humanity chapter has worked on housing projects in the Bradford community over the past several years.
Rev. Rob Klouw, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, said the church is pleased to help the groups as it is for a good cause. He said the church would also like to see an increased connection between the campus and the community.
“First Presbyterian has always had a close relationship with the Habitat for Humanity community of Bradford and the (Pitt-Bradford) students have been coming to those meetings,” Klouw added. “First Presbyterian’s commitment is not only to housing and security with partners in the Housing Coalition, but also to Habitat for Humanity, which is a long-term vision for all of us.”
Young said vendors can secure a spot at the event by mailing their full name, number of tables needed, general description of what they are selling, email address for confirmation, phone number and checks payable to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, to Laura Abreu, Box 9, 300 Campus Drive, Bradford, PA 16701.
Vendors may set up between 8 and 9 a.m. on the day of the event. For more information, e-mail club secretary Kristen Kiedaisch at KRK88@pitt.edu. Registrations are due by Friday.
