The largest, most sensational events of our club each year is the annual Christmas Bazaar. We thought it would be appropriate to give you a little history on how the Christmas Bazaar got started and we found some of the original founders of our club to help us out.
Back in 1992/3 a small core group of women used to get together in each others’ homes socially. There were only a few, probably only 10 to 15 ladies and Riga was a different place then. There were no large hotel, no McDonalds, no shopping malls and only a few small restaurants. Definitely the social outlets were very limited for expats. The ladies started to meet in order to exchange information and interact with like-minded women who could communicate together in one common language.
From that forum grew the idea of doing something useful while socializing and it became obvious that craft-related activities were of the most common interest. Women exchanged ideas and found that some ladies were quite accomplished, thus they became the “teachers” in the group and many beautiful creations were made.
From there discussion took place on what to do with these creations and the idea of selling for charity came to the fore. And then the idea of a charity sale at Christmas was suggested and agreed……hence the birth of the Christmas Bazaar! Initially it was very small and intimate and was held in the US Embassy. For the first few years, it was very relaxed and enjoyable as the ladies shopped all day with and enjoyed the hospitality and refreshments courtesy of the American Ambassador’s wife at the time, Elizabeth Silins.
Also a children’s playgroup (which has now evolved into the present school in Kipsala) used to meet up and the moms would make small crafts to raise funds for their small playgroup. This group then amalgamated with the group who met at the American Embassy and together they created a sizeable amount of crafts. As time progressed, it was obvious that this activity was very successful as it grew and grew and many more joined up as they arrived in Riga.
The Manager of the Hotel de Rome where ladies used to lunch regularly, offered the foyer as a venue in order to attract more publicity. The goods were selling well within their own group and soon a committee was formed to manage the bazaar. Many new ideas emerged which brought in local vendors and which provided access to local crafts which weren’t so available in the shops. The charge for the rent of tables provided a boost to the amount of money collected for charity.
Maura Bourke, one of the original founders had the idea to sell goods from one’s native country and started selling Irish sweaters. An Icelandic lady sold goods from Iceland and soon there was access to crafts such as never seen before.
Christmas shopping was done in an easy, relaxed and confined area while Christmas carols played and snow fell outside creating an overall festive mood. Rumor has it that even the men folk were keen to shop there and socialize, and indeed even help out! The Christmas Bazaar was BORN and became one of the major social events of the year.
The Charity Committee is responsible for much of this large event and invites you to participate and have as much fun as our founders did!
What is the Charity Committee: The head of the Charity Committee is the Charity Chairperson. Athough the amount of members varies, there are members who attend and assist regularly. More are always very welcome and needed!
How often does the Charity Committee meet: The Charity Committee meets once or twice per month or as needed. There is no set time or place, but there is always a notice on the website about the next planned meeting.
What does the Charity Committee do: They meet to discuss how best to use IWCR funds to assist the needy in Latvia. The committee is responsible for finding truly needy organizations and assessing the amount and form of assistance required.
This may lead to one or more visits to facilities under consideration to access them and meet with their directors and staff. It also may include working with local authorities, embassies or other entities to determine the legal and tax status of organizations as well as whether or not they might be receiving funds from other places.
It is the responsibility of the Charity Committee to host several fundraisers throughout the year such as the Potluck Lunch, the Charity Concert, etc. There is also a clothing drive and distribution for the needy in the spring and fall of each year.
How can one join the Charity Committee: Any IWCR member can come and join. There is no need to sign up or call, just check for the next planned meeting and come along.
Some of the Charities we have sponsored in the past two years:
1. Center for the Blind in Jugla
2. Laidu Skola (Elementary School in Laidi)
3. Missionaries of Charity in Riga
4. Hope for Children in Riga
5. Old People's Home in Mezciems
6. Children's Hospital in Riga
7. Diaconia Center in Riga
8. Papardes Zieds Center for Sex Education in Riga
9. Auces Crisis Center in Auce
10.Vestienes skola (Elementary school in Vestiene)
11.Rupju Berns Center for Street Children in Riga
12.School for nervous children in Smerli, Riga
13.Mednevas Adults' Rehabilitation Center in Latgale
14.Women's prison in Riga
15. Children Day Care Center "Skudrupuznis"
16. Brain scan for a young woman
17. Incukalns orphanage
We would like to thank all of the Generous IWCR Sponsors.
