Holiday events pack TMS with shoppers

Thermopolis Middle School was filled to capacity last Saturday as the Holiday Affair and Tree Lot Chair-ity event joined forces for a spectacular day of shopping and holiday generosity.

Judy Carswell with the People for People Backpack program, which provides meals for students over the weekends, said they made half of what they needed for the entire year during the Tree Lot and Chair-ity auction.

While they had just six trees to auction off, they had 40 chairs in their new event. Each of the chairs was decorated in a different holiday motif.

"It was absolutely wonderful," Carswell said. "We couldn't ask for more. People in town are so talented. There were no two chairs alike. I am always shocked at the generosity shown here."

Carswell said they had one tree that was purchased and then donated back which they delivered over the weekend.

It takes about $10,000 each year to provide the backpacks for students filled with food to get them through the weekend.

Another fundraiser going on with People for People is a raffle for framed prints, which are on display in the Hot Springs County Courthouse.

Tickets for the raffle are $5 each or five for $20 and are available in the assessor's office. They will also be available on Thanksgiving at the Episcopal Church's Thanksgiving dinner from noon until 2 p.m.

The prints will be awarded during the Tiny Camper event on Dec. 9.

In addition to the Tree Lot Chair-ity event, there were 40 booths for the Holiday Affair.

Organizer Renae Baldes with Beta Sigma Phi said things went really well and they made a comparable amount to last year.

"We had the gym completely filled with vendors," she said. "They all said things went very well."

Proceeds from the Holiday Affair are used throughout the year for donations to the Friends of the Library, hospice, H.O.P.E. agency and other local entities as well as families in need.