Barefoot Caring Council’s Monthly
Spotlight On…
Annual Holiday Bazaar
In 2007, Renee Hembree, the wife of our State Senator Greg Hembree, formed the Teen Angels organization. “The mission of this non-profit based in North Myrtle Beach High School’s attendance area is to provide a happy and traditional school experience to homeless and otherwise struggling middle and high school students through community resources.”
More than 10 years ago, Barefoot resident Phillis Fessman and Mrs. Hembree formed a partnership that would later be adopted by the Barefoot Caring Council. This partnership created the Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Bazaar which has raised in excess of $80,000 and in Mrs. Hembree’s words:
“Y’all have given away countless scholarships and assisted with rent, helped families whose homes have burned to the ground. Put braces on a high schooler’s teeth, helped kids with cancer and medical bills, food, shelter…the list goes on…mostly you have given kids hope and encouragement that someone cares for them and believes in them and kept them from quitting high school and they went on to graduate!! Please tell your readers that we have followed many of your kids that went on to college and graduated and have actually given financial assistance back to us later…And don’t forget the 100’s of Christmas shopping trips that you all donated for and thousands of dollars in food gift cards that carried kids through the summer and weekends.”
The popularity of the Bazaar has grown immensely since its inception – resulting in the need for a change of venue from the Residents’ Center to the Golf Clubhouse. And now, due to a lack of adequate square footage and “free” space, we have moved to an on-line approach which allows buyers to participate wherever the internet is available.
THIS YEAR’S ON-LINE AUCTION WILL BEGIN ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 AND CLOSE ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10
The success of this auction has been made possible through the participation of our Barefoot residents. Volunteers from each multi and single-family community are needed to spread the word and collect items for “themed” baskets and or monetary donations. Individual baskets are also welcome.
If you have questions about Teen Angels or the on-line auction, contact:
Ann Seplow (annseplow@gmail.com) or
Marilyn Nairn (bugzmom.nairn@gmail.com)