Twenty-six years ago two local women started a bake sale with hopes to raise funds that would help benefit the students of St. Peter’s School grades k-12. What started that day has now grown in the largest bake sale in the state of Ohio and has become a tradition for St. Peter’s and the surrounding community as the place to go to get homemade delights ranging from the traditional sugar cookie to Eastern European treats such as Poticas, Pizzelles, Kieffels, Butter Rings and Baklava.
“These ladies have been baking for days, I do believe we have made over 200 Butter Rings alone, not to mention all of the other goodies we have here today,” said Ann Brown, volunteer, avid baker and supporter of the 26 Annual Christmas Classic held at St. Peter’s located at 104 West First Street in Mansfield. “We have had about 900 people pass through just this morning,” added Brown.
According to Brown, she and Carol Chambers started a bake sale twenty-six years ago, that very first bake sale was the beginning of what grew into the highly anticipated annual Christmas Classic.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, locally made, donated baked goods were available for purchase.
The event featured an estimated 2000 holiday cookies all donated by parents of students.
“We could not do this without our volunteers,”said Brown. She went on to add that an estimated 30 volunteers started baking earlier in the week everyday, and the day of the sale about 50 volunteers including cafeteria staff began baking and preparing for the sale from early morning.
“We have a great group of people every year, they come back every year to volunteer and to support the parish and school,” said Patrice Anderson. Anderson has been volunteering at the bake sale for 26 years.
Allie Watson, Parents Club president commented by saying, ”Every year we send a letter out to parents in November asking them to donate four dozen cookies for the sale. This year we had more donations than we have seen in the last five years.” Watson added, ”The support of the parents and the community is amazing.”
“We have had a tremendous repeat of volunteers and many new ones as well,” said Watson.
According to Watson the hugely popular bake sale has become a tradition not only for people who volunteer every year but the community to come and purchase specialty treats. Watson added the proceeds from the sale, on average estimate from 8 to $9000 and goes to benefit students from every grade level at St. Peter’s.
Items purchased previous years from bake sale proceeds include; two new microwaves for the school cafeteria, two paperback book spinners that hold and estimated 1000 books and countless supplies. A general fund is set up and teachers from every grade level fill out a grant request form from which funds are released to meet the needs of students.
Entertainment was provided by first, second and third grade students who sang Christmas songs, and free pictures were available with Santa. There was a Secret Santa Shop for kids to purchase gifts and a raffle. Dozens of Poinsettias were available for a discounted price from Possum Run Greenhouse.
St. Peter’s Right to Life group hosted a luncheon from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and craft show that featured local vendors in the church basement. Table fees from the craft show also went to benefit the students from the school.
