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Schools

Dearborn School Gears Up for 40th Year of Crafting, Fundraising

The Lindbergh Elementary Holiday Boutique takes place Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

The decorations are up, the fresh-baked cookies are out, and the Christmas music is on the stereo.

It's the 40th annual Holiday Boutique at Dearborn's Lindbergh Elementary School, happening 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

"It's the biggest fundraiser of the year," shared Jeannette Capote, who has two children at Lindbergh and has been heading up the boutique for six years. "All the money goes right back to the school."

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The boutique includes a showcase of handmade crafts—everything from jewelry to ornaments to artwork. Additionally, there is a bake sale, as well as a raffle, where attendees can win everything from a "Made in Detroit" package to an MSU or U of M basket.

"Each classroom puts together a basket," Capote explained. "They pick the theme."

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Students also help with the decorations, and parents are heavily involved in everything from making cookies to selling their own crafts. One mom even has her Girl Scout Troop serving as Kitchen Angels and bringing food orders to venders throughout the day.

Baskets are made up of donations and purchased goods, though PTA mother and Vice President Lori Murphy, who chairs the basket raffle, said they rely heavily on gifts from local businesses.

"There's no way we'd be able to do the baskets without businesses in the community," Murphy said.

Proceeds from all the efforts go toward things like buses for field trips, playground equipment, and classroom necessities.

"Teachers have wishlists, too, so they present them to us," Murphy added.

The boutique raised around $10,000 in 2011, and with great prizes and yet another year of excellent volunteer effort, Capote said they're hoping for similar success this Saturday.

"There are so many cuts to the schools ... and we don't get extra funds," she explained. "We have to do it ourselves."

Just like they have for 40 years.

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