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The 46th annual Ramstein Welfare Bazaar, created by the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses Club and sponsored by the 86th Services Squadron, will take place from
Sept. 16 to 19 in Ramstein’s Hangar 1 and 2.
“The Ramstein Welfare Bazaar has become a time honored shopping tradition for those who reside in and around the KMC,” said Schrie Simpson, Ramstein Welfare Bazaar chairwoman. “This year, we will have over 130 vendors selling timeless, eye-catching, unique, and even some edible items from Europe and beyond —it’s a one-stop shopping extravaganza.”
This bazaar is truly a community event that benefits the community with proceeds from the weekend’s shopping redistributed throughout the KMC.
“The Ramstein Welfare Bazaar provides a unique opportunity to literally shop the world, but the real focus of this event is to raise money for the KMC,” said Tina Redanz, ROSC president. “Last year, as a result of support from this incredible community, ROSC raised more than $273,000, 100 percent of which will be given back to our community during the 2010 welfare year. The ROSC is committed to community and it truly takes a community to produce such a fabulous bazaar.”
Ms. Simpson agreed that the bazaar is truly a community event.
“I would be remiss if I failed to mention the bazaar committee and the hundreds of volunteers, both active-duty and civilian, who generously donate their time to make this event possible,” she said. “The team effort and the knowledge that 100 percent of the proceeds from the bazaar are given back to the KMC make this both a rewarding and enjoyable experience.”
Shoppers this year will have a lot to look forward to with vendors from various countries selling items such as pottery, original artwork, home decor, linens, toys, candies, cheeses, jewelry, clothing, furniture and antiques.
The bazaar will also feature a one of a kind food court. Base organizations sponsoring food booths will be selling all kinds of culinary delights, including favorites such as funnel cakes, bratwurst and burgers, paninis, tacos, fresh lemonade, smoothies and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
The ROSC is also asking for volunteers to donate baked goods, to help in the business and finance offices, and to prepare and distribute snacks for vendors and volunteers in the hospitality suite. Volunteers working a four hour shift or donating 10 dozen baked goods qualify for VIP shopping from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday before the bazaar officially opens. Volunteers also have an opportunity to receive items donated by vendors through a special volunteer appreciation drawing.
“Volunteering is easy and fun. The bazaar requires more than 1,000 volunteers to make it a success and we rely on the community to help us out,” Ms. Redanz said.
There is still time to sign up to volunteer.
Bazaar hours are from noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 and 18, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 19. Thursday and Friday are stroller friendly days. A Kinder Korner in the Red Cross Tent will provide mothers and fathers with a place to take care of infants and toddlers. No pets are allowed on the bazaar grounds.
“In addition to raising money for the KMC, the bazaar is a toe-tingling shopping experience for all who attend. I simply cannot think of a better place to be Sept. 16 to 19 than the Ramstein Welfare Bazaar,” said Gina Van Orsdol, Ramstein Welfare Bazaar co-chair.
For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, visit www.ramstein-bazaar.org.
(Courtesy of Ramstein Officers’ Spouses Club)
