Oneida Indian Nation Members and Elders brought several of their home-made crafts and sweets to the Ray Elm Children and Elders Center on Friday, Oct. 20 for the annual Craft and Bake Sale to raise funds for future Elders activities. Everything from beadwork, jewelry and quilts to sweatshirts, soaps and birdhouses were on sale. The event was open to the public and featured over 25 separate raffle drawings with many big-ticket items.
Prize baskets included items from Oneida Heritage and Shako:wi Cultural Center, while many of the Elders donated some of their own creations. Organized by Penny Raymond (Turtle Clan), the raffle drawings kicked off at 3:30pm. Elders Program Respite Aide Jeanne Dee Northington (Wolf Clan) walked around the room with the ticket boxes offering everyone in attendance the chance to draw the winning tickets.
Among the big winners of the baskets were Shirl Oatman (Turtle Clan), Sheila Sayers (Bear Clan), and Aidan Stout, who’ll have to wait a few more years to use the free oil change he won. The three “grand prize” drawings consisted of a Kindle Fire tablet, $100 in lottery scratch-off tickets, and a 39” Roku TV. Elders Program Coordinator Kathy Willard was the only grand prize winner in attendance and took home the Kindle Fire.
Each year, the Elders hold a few events to raise funds to help offset the costs of new activities and trips. These events also give the Elders the opportunity to showcase their hand-made crafts that are traditional works of art. The Elders Center staff and the Elders look forward to the next fundraiser this coming spring.
