Divas Dreams Events will be holding a silent auction/craft show for Visually Impaired Preschool Services Saturday.
The event is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Home and Family Arts Building at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.
VIPS serves children from birth to 3, said Melissa Matthews, blind/low-vision specialist for VIPS.
VIPS empowers families by providing educational excellence to young children with visual impairments in order to build a strong foundation for reaching their highest potential, according to its website. VIPS provides early intervention services to Kentucky and Indiana's youngest children with blindness and low vision. Services include evaluations, in-home visits and access to resources that help parents and caregivers better understand and support their child with visual impairment.
Studies prove that success down the road is due to early intervention, Matthews said. The reason VIPS deals with the birth to 3 age group is because it’s a critical age for brain development and growth.
Matthews said she has known Divas Dreams Events owner Denise Tankersley for years. Tankersley was looking for nonprofits to benefit from her events and Matthews reached out to her and told her about VIPS.
Tankersley said does events every month for a nonprofit organization or a needy family that needs help in some way. She does research to make sure the organization isn’t a scam.
The show is a way to provide organizations money, Tankersley said. There will be approximately 30 vendors at the event, including Color Street and Mary Kay.
During the event, there will be a silent auction where people can bid on baskets that were donated from local businesses and the crafters and vendors at the event. All the proceeds from the auction will go to VIPS, Tankersley said.
People will be able to buy directly from the vendors.
Matthews said for the crafters, you can buy directly from them; and for some vendors, people may have to place an order and do online ordering.
Tankersley said the money for direct orders will go directly to that crafter or vendor.
“It’s only fair. That’s how they make money,” Tankersley said.
During the event, Tankersley said social distancing and mask wearing will be followed.
If anyone wants to be a vendor at Saturday’s event, they can Facebook message or call Tankersley at 574-903-3836.
Tankersley said she hopes the event will bring awareness to VIPS. She also wants the event to raise money to help those children.
Matthews said she hopes the event will bring awareness to the organization and help raise money for it.
