The Nov. 20 event brought in more than $2,100 for the residents’ Christmas fund through the sale of crafts, baked goods and knick-knacks. Pleasant Meadow Manor Administrator Connie Garden calls the bazaar “a great success.”

“All residents receive a stocking full of goodies on Christmas morning,” says Connie, noting extra dollars go towards other festive purchases for residents and maintenance of the Norwood long-term care home’s van.

Connie, along with Chris Charlebois, life enrichment supervisor, head out to the stores and purchase chocolates, candies, body lotions, socks and other small items for residents to open Christmas morning.

“We make it personalized,” says Chris.

“We try to make it as personalized as possible.”

In preparation for the bazaar, Connie, Chris and friends spent the past year making crafts and ornaments to sell. Residents also made pillows in a sewing program through the home, which were a hit with shoppers, Chris says. Those who live at Pleasant Meadow also helped with the baking of sweets.

“There’s a lot of preparation work,” says Chris about the event, which attracted approximately 75 people.

Chris takes the lead in organizing the bazaar and relies on volunteers for assistance. Shoppers browsed the craft, baked goods and white elephant tables while family members stopped in for tea that local children helped serve.