Bradenton Church Hosts Annual Christmas Market

From Kirkwood Presbyterian Church:

An inspired vision for a community-wide charitable event that brings both awareness and funding to countless organizations throughout Manatee County and the surrounding areas has led Kirkwood and Palma Sola Presbyterian Churches to host a unique Annual Christmas Market for 21 years!

Over the course of those years, when people heard of the Christmas Market , they expected that it involved donations to charities. But, what they didn’t know was that straight donations are only one of the hundreds of ways that Christmas Market shoppers have to make a difference in our community and the world. When you walk into this Market, you walk into an energy-filled space brimming with booths and representatives for nonprofit organizations from around our county, nation, and world. Everyone is happy to see you and no one will hassle you. Sip warm cider while you meander through the twenty booths meant to inform you about their services, and offer you tangible (and wrap-able) gift choices that will be meaningful for your friends and family on your shopping list. For example, you may find beautiful handmade jewelry or scarves, specialty sporting equipment, gorgeous gift bags, a variety of ornaments and handmade soaps. Every dollar you contribute at the Christmas Market supports the charities you choose to support.

For the first time in our Market’s history, the Boy Scouts Troop 181 will run a grilling booth outside where customers can grab a quick lunch or buy the Boy Scout’s popcorn. And right by the Scout’s booth, the Manatee Sunrise Kiwanis Foundation Book Bus will park and give free books to all children attending the event! More excitement awaits shoppers as they go inside to find a Cookie Room full of delectable sweets, a Children’s Shop where youngsters will be assisted in shopping wisely for very special gifts with their own allowance, a Gift Room stocked with merchandise from Ten Thousand Villages, not to mention a multitude of other nonprofits’ booths.

The nonprofit organizations hosting holiday booths at the 2016 Annual Christmas Market include Bible Mission USA, Boy Scouts, Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center, Crafty Cut Ups, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Foundation for Dreams, Heifer International, Hope Family Services, HOPE Seeds, J316 Ministries, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, Manatee Sunrise Kiwanis Foundation, Manasota Operation Troop Support, My Choice Pregnancy Center, Selah Freedom, SOLVE Maternity Homes, Ten Thousand Villages, The Haven, Thornwell Home for Children, and Tidewell Hospice.

Mark your calendar for the kickoff event of the season on November 12th ! The Christmas Market will be open 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and is located at Kirkwood Church at 6101 Cortez Road, Bradenton, FL 34210.

Image via Kirkwood Presbyterian Church.