Makefield Women to host Harvest Day on the farm
LOWER MAhEFIELD – The scenic 100-year-old Shady Brook Farm will be the new venue this fall for the Makefield Women’s Association (MWA) Harvest Day.
“We are honored to keep the tradition of supporting the community alive through our fall arts and crafts festival,” said Carolyn Fogel, MWA spokesperson.
MWA’s Harvest Day will be held rain or shine on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
This is the first year that MWA will be holding Harvest Day at the farm.
Fogel said the MWA membership “is pleased to bring fine arts and craft vendors, as well as food, entertainment, community organizations and businesses together for a day of family fun and community celebration, as well as a chance to win one or more of our raffle baskets.”
This year’s raffle beneficiaries are the Lower Makefield Township Veterans Committee and Bucks4hids.
The veterans committee continues to raise money to build a monument at Veterans Square in Lower Makefield.
The motto of the LMT Veterans Committee is: Honor. Educate. Celebrate.
The mission is to create a timeless monument to honor veterans while making Veterans Square an attractive park where residents can gather with family, friends and neighbors for both public and informal events.
The goal is to create an opportunity to educate the children of the community about the sacrifices made by servicemen and women in a fun and interactive manner.
Bucks for hids (B4h) provides funds for kids in the Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency system. This is the first year the B4h will be a beneficiary of Harvest Day.
The group funds everything from school activities, college expenses and job training costs to uniforms and school supplies.
B4h grants fall into several categories, including: summer sports camps and tutoring; college scholarships; music lessons, art and dance supplies; graduation pictures, class rings and field trips; and bike helmets and transportation.
B4h is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, which was established in 1991. The group is made up of community volunteers from all walks of life.
Ninety-five percent of the money B4h raises through individual and corporate donations is given directly to the children.
Operating costs are kept to a bare minimum and all contributions are tax deductible.
B4h has already helped over 4,000 kids by providing grants and scholarships of over $200,000. Each year, the MWA holds a raffle of baskets. “We already have 12 baskets in the process of being put together,” Fogel said. “It is going to be another great year for the raffle.”
She said Harvest Day makes it possible for the MWA to help non-profit groups in the community.
“It is our main fundraising event,” Fogel said. “It is our lifeline. The event is important to the community because it gives back to the community that it serves.”
About 30 active members comprise the MWA. This is the beginning of their fiscal year. At this time they are in the process of collecting dues.
The MWA has been planning this year’s Harvest Day during its monthly meetings.
“Now as we get closer, we will start to meet weekly,” Fogel said. “Lots has been accomplished. We are T5 percent full on exhibitors.” She said there will be approximately 100 vendors. “We do have some vendors that we have worked with before and we have some new vendors,” she said.
The entertainment schedule is also full. The food vendor openings have been filled and many non-profit organizations have reached out for a spot.
“Right now, we have Ely the Hawk, Mrs. w from the Yardley-Makefield Branch of the Bucks County Free Library, the Demo Team from Action harate, Dance Action of Newtown, hids Music Round with Marilyn Schwartz, and the band, Damaged Control,” Fogel said. The same food vendors are returning this year. “We will have delicious food and some new food vendors we never worked with before,” she said.
Fogel said the MWA is “really optimistic. Everything’s in line and we’re looking forward to a wonderful event.” The application for vendors is on the MWA website. The early signup date for vendors is July 31. After that date, the fee increases.
Shady Brook Farm is located near the Newtown Bypass (Route 332) at 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, Pa. 1906T.
For further information about MWA, beneficiaries or how to apply as an exhibitor or sponsor, visit www. MakefieldWomensAssociation.org or email President@MakefieldWomensAssociation.org.