Hand-Made Holiday Crafts to Benefit Employee Scholarship Fund

Contact: Karen Deardorff, (740) 597-2907

ATHENS, Ohio (November 1, 2000) -- Organizers of the 2000 Holiday Showcase are seeking hand-crafted items from Ohio University employees to include in the event scheduled Nov. 29 through Dec. 2.

The Holiday Showcase is an extension of the annual Employee Showcase presented in the spring, an event that spotlights university employees' creative talents. Fifteen percent of the item's selling price will go directly to a scholarship fund for university employees and their families. The Employee Showcase Committee hopes to raise an additional $5,000 at the event.

"I believe that as an institution of higher education, we have a responsibility to encourage and support both our employees and their family members in the quest to obtain a college education," said Karen Deardorff, a member of the Holiday Showcase steering committee. "This scholarship could make a difference to someone who is struggling financially to fulfill that educational goal."

The committee is seeking items hand-crafted by university employees, including pottery, jewelry, fabric art, woodwork, ceramics, ornaments, stained glass and toys. Items will be sold on consignment to benefit both the crafter and the scholarship fund.

The event will be open to the public at Trisolini Gallery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 29 through Dec. 1 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 2. For more information on donating to the Holiday Showcase, visit the Web site at http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~underwoo/showcase/