An art and craft show has occurred annually in the West Virginia Building at the State Fair Event Center in Fairlea for 37 consecutive years.
The event, which runs the second weekend in October, has a history of providing funds to charitable organizations in the area. Edgewood Presbyterian Church, the current sponsor of the show, chooses nonprofit groups to benefit from the event.
The 2017 art and craft show provided funds to Fruits of Labor, The Greg Carter Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Edgewood Growth and Improvement Fund, and the Edgewood Scholarship Fund. The 2018 beneficiaries have been chosen. Funds from vendor fees, food sales and apple butter sales will benefit the Greenbrier County and White Sulphur Springs EMS, The Greenbrier Autism Community, The Edgewood Growth and Improvement Fund, and the Edgewood Scholarship Fund. In addition to a chance to raise funds for charitable organizations, the event is also an opportunity to raise awareness.
White Sulphur Springs Emergency Medical Services was established in 1959 as a complete volunteer ambulance service. When transports began in WSS people were transported to and from the hospital in the hearse of the local funeral home. Later, when the rescue squad was officially formed, a driver who had CPR and First Aid Certification provided transportation. This developed into having trained EMTs and paramedics and the squad developed into WSS EMS. Throughout the years WSS EMS has grown to have better facilities and trucks and to provide more services WSS EMS provides services not only to WSS, Neola, Alleghany Co. (VA), Caldwell, part of Monroe County, but also Maxwelton, Frankford, Renick and part of Williamsburg as well. They continue to be self supported and survive through billing and donations. WSS EMS was the first agency in Greenbrier County to start providing Critical Care Transport. They offer training for their staff and the local community. They currently employ about 50 people, who all put in many hours away from their own family, with most working 24 hours at a time. They are a group of outstanding people that care about the citizens they serve. WSS EMS provides emergency care to those in need regardless of the ability to pay.
Greenbrier County Emergency Medical Services has a similar set up and mission. They serve Lewisburg, Fairlea, Ronceverte, Caldwell, Union and Williamsburg areas. GCEMS employs 22 full time staff and numerous part time staff. They are available 24 hours per day 365 days a year for community emergency needs. They are 9-1-1 dispatched and can provide transportation for appointments, nursing home returns, etc. The employees have created a scholarship fund for high school seniors. It is no surprise that people who give long hours of their time to serve the community would also desire to give back financially. GCEMS is also funded through donations and billing for services.
Greenbrier Autism Community is a newly forming nonprofit that desires to work together to create a network of support, resources and education for the community, individuals with Autism and those who care about someone with Autism in our local communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 59 children are on the Autism spectrum. GAC is made up of parents, siblings, and professionals that have a passion about ensuring that services and information on available for people on the spectrum and their families. The group has hosted sensory friendly movies and provided local pediatricians with information to provide to families at the time of diagnosis. GAC is in the process of planning a resource fair to offer information, resources, and education for those who need it. The resource fair is scheduled on Sept. 28 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Alumni Center on the Osteopathic School campus.
Edgewood Scholarship fund to date has assisted 24 members/friends of Edgewood to pursue higher education. The Edgewood growth and improvement fund primarily assists the church to maintain a second building to house work groups and hold community events.
Any group benefiting from the event must be able to participate on-site for the entire event and must present a display to inform the community of their project. The planning committee considers all requests and chooses recipients for the following year. Any nonprofit organization in southern West Virginia or western Virginia who would like to be considered to benefit from future art and craft shows may bring their contact information and a brief description of their mission to the 38th annual show. That show will be held Friday through Sunday, Oct. 12 through 14. Parking and admission are free. The art & craft show features nearly 100 vendors with a wide variety of handcrafted items, food on site, baked goods, and apple butter. There is also a car show available on the grounds on Saturday.
