Dear Parishioners,
I recently met with a small team of
Holly Fair volunteers brainstorming what to do during this unusual year when spreading festive good cheer is an ongoing challenge. It is an evolving plan, but one that we tested, and is working. Instead of poster boards with taped cards in the back of church soliciting donations for gift baskets, the snowflake bags, and wine pull, we will be using an online platform called
Eventgroove Ticketing. Click on the underlined link or you can access the list through the parish homepage.
“Tickets” equal requested items. Simply peruse through the list and select the quantity of an item you would like to shop for and donate to the Holly Fair. Once you have made your selections, click “Get Tickets” (remember it is really the items you chose) and a summary of your choices will appear at the top of the list. The program keeps a running tabulation of things you and others are simultaneously choosing; therefore, the summary of a particular item may appear less than the quantity you chose because another person already chose it. The program will allow you the largest quantity of “tickets” (items) that is available. When the total quantity of an item is spoken for by one or more parishioners it will say SOLD OUT. Keep adjusting your choices until the top section reflects what you want to shop for and then check out.
Enter your Name and Email for confirmation and click “Get Tickets.” It will show you your order summary and give you the option to print out a shopping list (Print Tickets). I am working on adding a field to make a direct monetary donation (debit or credit card) to the Holly Fair if you rather not shop and/or simply support this important parish fundraiser. This is the only monetary exchange that happens. Checking out with tickets/items costs nothing.
This all might sound more complicated than it is and if you need assistance please do not hesitate to contact us in the parish office. The platform went live for us to practice last Friday, November 6th and that is why that date shows. However, the date to remember is Monday, November 30th – the final day all donations need to be received so volunteers can start putting things together. Feel free to bring your items to church with you or drop them by the parish center before November 30th. Please also let us know if you would like to volunteer to help get ready and/or work this year’s Holly Fair 2020.
We are still trying to figure out the hybrid nature for how the Holly Fair itself will take place. Everything will be available online: Raffle Baskets, Lottery Trees, Snowflake Raffle, Wine Pull, 50/50, and Pat’s Jams along with other vendors’ items. Unfortunately, we will not be able to have the Cookie Stroll, Silent Auction, or Breakfast with Santa this year. I am very sensitive to the challenges most businesses have faced these past two fiscal quarters of 2020. While we will graciously accept and use charitable donations from businesses, I will not be sending out letters soliciting such donations this year. I leave it to your discretion if you feel your business is in a position to give, or asking a friend or establishment you patron to donate something is an ask you are willing to make on behalf of the parish. Please let me know of any donations made from businesses so I can thank them for their thoughtful and appreciated generosity to Holy Cross during the ongoing pandemic.
There are more details to work through, but with the help of
Eventgroove Fundraising software we can envision Holly Fair 2020 happening with cheer! We are also continuing to brainstorm a possible limited in-person experience managed through reservations on a particular day. We will be abiding and following all guidelines and protocols in place as the weekend of December 12-13 approaches. That 3
rd weekend of Advent we be Guadete, something to Rejoice about for sure this year!
Thank you for your adaption to trying something new. This software makes the list assessable to all registered parishioners encouraged to support the parish through their time, talent, and treasure. More to come in the weeks ahead via Flocknote messages, Mass announcements, and bulletin highlights. It might not be the biggest Holly Fair we’ve ever had but every little bit helps this year.
God Bless,
Fr. Brad