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A flea market of a special kind takes place from Feb. 27 to March 1 in the Industrial Hall (Industriehalle) in the Kaiserslautern Garden Fair grounds. It’s the 46th annual Pfennig Bazaar sponsored by the German-American and International Women’s Club Kaiserslautern, under the patronage of Kaiserslautern’s Lord Mayor Dr. Klaus Weichel.
The Pfennig Bazaar is known as the biggest flea market in the West Palatinate. Its name originates in the former German currency, the Pfennig, which was under the Deutsche Mark currency.
The Pfennig Bazaar is the club’s biggest fundraising event. All profits will be donated to various German, American and international charities, the Federation of German-American Clubs in Germany, the University of Kaiserslautern for their Student Exchange Program and the GAIWC’s Youth Program for American and German students.
“The club makes very significant monetary contributions into the Kaiserslautern community via the monies we raise at this bazaar,” said Cheryl Mahoney, the American club president. “Last year about €22,000 were donated to such organizations as the Fisher House in Landstuhl, the Ramstein Area’s Chief Group, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Special Olympics and AWAG.”
The German-American Women’s Club was established in 1956. Meanwhile, other nationalities are included and the name carries the word international as well.
“Our goal is to promote tolerance within cultures and international understanding and foster friendship between German, American and other communities,” said corresponding secretary Pamela Miod.
GAIWC offers interest groups to include creative gourmet cooking, cultural trips, English and German conversation, French lessons, arts, Spanish lessons, hiking, needlework and learning by doing.
“Our annual program features evening events, concerts, trips and monthly get-togethers for club members, spouses and friends,” Ms. Miod said.
The club still needs donations for the bazaar, such as clean clothes for men, women, children, shoes, household goods, books, toys, appliances, computers, collectibles and music media. Donations can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the Industriehalle. Donors can enter the garden fair area from Forellenstrasse. Take B40 from Vogelweh to Kaiserslautern. After Pizza Attack, turn right on Alte Brücke and the next left on Forellenstrasse. Go to the parking lot at the bottom of the street.
Industriehalle is a big brick building, located across from the back of Papasote’s restaurant.
The Pfennig Bazaar is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 28 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 1. For more information, visit www.gaiwc.com, call Pamela Miod at 06381-996868 or e-mail euroconn@hotmail.com.
