Every year Christmas Shop for Cure JM continues to grow, and this year is no exception. In its third year, it will feature 39 vendors – up from about 14 vendors in 2012 and 30 in 2013 – corporate sponsors and a goal of raising $12,000 for Cure JM. “Last year we raised $10,000, which far exceeded our goal of $5,000. This year we put a different spin on it and got corporate sponsors so that hopefully will help us exceed our goal,” organizer Kristine Alderfer said. Shop for Cure JM will be Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart School gym, 135 N. Harrison St., Warsaw. There is no fee to get in the event. The school donated the use of its gym. At 4 years old, Katherine Alderfer, now 8, was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis. From the outside, she looks like a normal, healthy child. On the inside, however, her body is fighting the autoimmune disorder. Katherine is the daughter of Alan and Kristine Alderfer. “She’s doing great,” Kristine said of Katherine’s current condition. “We’re going every six weeks now for infusions, which is a huge improvement over the past. Hopefully, we can keep going in the same direction with that.” The disease affects only two out of a million children. Vendors at Shop for Cure JM donate a percentage of their proceeds from the event to Cure JM. They also donate something for the raffle baskets. “Last year we had seven raffle baskets and they were all amazing,” Kristine said. Vendors will include Thirty-One, Scentsy, Usborne Books, Pampered Chef, NYR Organics, Tupperware, Rodan & Fields, Wildtree, Tastefully Simple, Premier Jewelry, Norwex, Spice Merchants, Boutique Exchange, The Olive Branch, Sassyfrass, Mary & Martha, Mary Kay, Stella & Dot, Coastal Cacao chocolates and candies, Matilda Jane, McKenna Farms and Two Hooked, as well as pottery, handcrafted soaps, local honey and knitted items. “There’s a great range of products, not just for women,” she said. There’s also items for men and children. There are foods, clothing, household items, jewelry, books and local products. “We really do have a good blend of vendors,” she said. “We got corporate sponsors to cover the minimal costs we have.” Corporate sponsor Sorg Nissan is giving $50 to Cure JM for every car sold in November, “which is a huge deal for us,” Kristine stated. Other corporate sponsors include Redpath Fruth, The Party Shop, Alderfer Bergen & Co., Penguin Point, 103.5 Willie, Dental Solutions, Rabb Water and CafeMod. “The corporate sponsors are an important part of what we’re doing. We really couldn’t do it without them,” she stated. Kristine said she’d not only like to raise $12,000 this year, but also have at least 500 shoppers. In 2013 the event had about 400 shoppers. “For us, it’s about raising awareness as much as raising money so people know about her illness and can diagnose it earlier,” Kristine said. The Christmas Shop is one of the biggest fundraisers for Cure JM nationally, she said. Other people are planning to model the event for other Cure JM fundraisers. “Ninety-eight percent of every dollar raised goes directly to research. It’s a volunteer organization so every dollar we raise at this event goes to the Cure JM organization,” she said. Along with the vendors, there will be a raffle, door prizes, balloons, a bake sale, hot dogs, coffee, muffins, cinnamon rolls and a “kids zone.” There will be a minimal cost for the kids zone, she said. It welcomes children of all ages. Sacred Heart teachers are volunteering their time to babysit the children while their parents shop. Kristine said if anyone wants to volunteer their time to help, they can contact her through her Facebook page and her number is in the phonebook. “Come have lunch, shop and have your kids watched after.” Lacie Fouts Photography will offer $50 holiday mini-photo sessions, which includes digital images. To schedule a session, email laciefoutsphotos@yahoo.com For more information about Cure JM, visit its website at www.curejm.org
