LIMA, Ohio — Mercy Health–St. Rita’s Medical Center was bustling with holiday cheer Thursday as hundreds of visitors filled the main lobby for the annual Holiday Street Fair.
The space was lined with crafts, gift baskets, baked goods and live music as supporters turned out to benefit the medical center’s auxiliary and craft club. Volunteers work throughout the year to create unique and affordable holiday décor for the event, while others bake a wide selection of cookies, candy and the fair’s well-known buckeyes, which are sold by the pound. Dozens of gift baskets donated by medical department staff are raffled to attendees.
Many shoppers return each year to find specialty items and support the cause.
“I’m always here, first of all for the variety of cookies. They are absolutely delicious,” said attendee Judy Bourk. “I used to be a volunteer here and work, but now I just come and buy the goodies.”
“They have nice stuff, reasonably priced, and it supports a good cause,” said Bill King, who stopped by the fair.
“Well, we know some people that do the arts and crafts here, and I think it’s a worthy cause for what their project is for the year,” said Helen Kunkleman. “So it’s worth it. It’s fun. We do the raffle, I haven’t won, but it’s still worth it.”
The Holiday Street Fair typically raises around $15,000 each year for the auxiliary’s pledge project for the medical center. This year’s proceeds will support renovations at the Mom and Baby Center.
