Christmas market draws crowd to support community programs

A crowd packed the Fort Erie Conservation Club on Sunday as more than 35 local vendors joined the third annual Stevensville Christmas Market.

Held by the Stevensville Farmers’ Market and the Conservation Club, the market’s proceeds help maintain the club’s 110-acre property and fund donations to local causes such as school breakfast programs in South Niagara, the Dream Center in Crystal Beach, and cancer treatment initiatives for men.

“All proceeds go to the Conservation Club,” said Ken Jessop, one of the market’s organizers and vendors. “They do a lot of donations to schools and programs in town that people really don’t know about. It’s great because it all goes right back into the community.”

Connie Charron, president of the Fort Erie Conservation Club, told Fort Erie Radio the funds also sustain their facilities and youth programs.

“A lot of the proceeds end up going to children’s activities that we have here like the fishing derby and the Christmas party for the kids,” said Charron.

Through their surplus, the club also supports the Crystal Ridge Dream Center, helping fund its community kitchen and youth and music programs used by over 500 residents each year.

Charron said making donations and holding events like the market are vital in showing residents how active and community-minded the Fort Erie Conservation Club is.

“Having stuff like this brings in people that have never been here. They didn’t realize this building was here,” she said.

Charron, who has served as president for 24 years, said she’s stayed because of the strong volunteer spirit and the sense of purpose the club brings to the community.

“I believe if you treat your volunteers good, they’ll stay,” said Charron.

With this year’s market bringing steady crowds, Jessop hopes the growing event will continue to keep the club’s community work thriving into the next season.

“We’re growing it, and this year will be better than last year and next year will be better than this year.”

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