FORT RUCKER, Ala. (November 28, 2014) -- The holiday season is in full swing, complete with Santa making his rounds at malls and venues across the country, and Old Saint Nick didn't miss his opportunity to make an appearance at one of Fort Rucker's foremost holiday events.
The 2014 Fort Rucker Community Spouses' Club hosted its annual HollyDay Bazaar at Yano Hall Nov. 22 and people came by the hundreds to shop more than 100 vendors that featured crafts, jewelry, furniture, antiques, toys, food and more.
People were treated to a visit from Santa Claus, who was available for pictures, as well as sounds of the holiday season from the Carroll High School Jazz Band, which really got people in the holiday spirit.
"This is one of my favorite events throughout the year, especially around this time of year when you get the itch to go shopping," said Jeanetta Harper, civilian. "A lot of this stuff are items you can't find in retail stores, so that just makes the things you buy that much better.
"I try to get a good bit of my holiday shopping done early, and the bazaar is early enough in the year so that I don't have to worry," she said. "They always have something interesting here, and it's just a great time to come out and get out of the house to start the holidays."
Susan Tiche, military spouse, said this was her first year to the bazaar and was amazed at the different selection of items.
"This is a really huge event and I'm surprised that it actually fills the entire hangar," she said. "I came with some of my friends and I've already bought some hand-knit gloves, which I think are just fantastic."
The proceeds from the FRCSC HollyDay Bazaar go to help fund scholarships that the spouses club supports, many of which would not be available if not for events like the bazaar, according to Janna Bogert, FRCSC publicity chair.
"The bazaar is a long-standing tradition that provides a day of fun and shopping, while raising money for a great cause, and that cause is supporting each other," said Bogert. "Part of our mission statement is to develop a spirit of community responsibility, and through these funds we can reach out to the Wiregrass area.
"We participate in local projects that better the community for us all and we hope to inspire a few others along the way. The Fort Rucker Community Spouses' Club provides us with opportunities for social, cultural and creative pursuits while here at the home of Army Aviation," she said. "The hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars raised result in grants to worthwhile charitable causes and scholarships for military spouses and high school students."
Tiche said she didn't mind paying to get into the event because she knows that her money is well spent, and she does what she can to give back.
"I think it's great that such a huge event can go toward helping such a great cause," she said. "Being a (military spouse), I know how difficult things can get, so if I can do something to help the organization you can count me in, especially if it means I can shop to do it."
For more information or to join the Fort Rucker Community Spouses' Club, visit www.ftruckercsc.com.
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