Sacred Heart Parish in Dent will hold a Seeds to Grow craft fair after Masses on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 and 3. The proceeds will be shared with people who have medical expenses that create an extra burden during a time of suffering.
The Seeds to Grow event has a history of paying it forward.
In 2010, Rita York entered The Visitor-sponsored Pay it Forward contest and won seed money to hold a craft fair, with the proceeds going to those with financial needs due to medical concerns. She gathered a group from Sacred Heart Parish to help with the project. Backed by the parish council, the event became called “Seeds to Grow.”
Over the years, the Seeds to Grow committee sponsored different activities to raise funds to help others in medical need, said York, who has continued as the group’s chair.
“This year booths will offer home-baked goods, holy Communion veils and jewelry with crosses and angels, articles for the kitchen, crocheted and knitted items, home décor, pottery, pillows, Christmas items and so much more,” York said. “Goods will have a suggested donation price listed on them, and sometimes people even pay more than that, to help defray medical expenses.”
The “Seeds to Grow” name refers to the Bible parable of the seeds that fall on rich soil, she said.
“The Holy Spirit helped to grow our Seeds to Grow,” York said. “We hope that seeds planted on rich soil will help those in financial need and will uplift the community by inspiring people to be fruitful in their Christian care for others. It is a gift to be a part of this.”
The funds have assisted people who have been in the hospital or are going there or who need travel expenses.
“It’s not just for those in our parish. We’ve helped people from as far away as 20 or 30 miles from Sacred Heart,” York said. “They are so appreciative. Sometimes they also pay it forward by contributing items for the next fundraiser.”
To request financial assistance for medical needs from Seeds to Grow, call the Sacred Heart Church office at 218-758-2700.