According to Denise Crissup, crafting retreats are to some women what a trip to deer camp is for some men. "This is like a day version of (enjoying that kind of camaraderie)," said Crissup with a chuckle. Crissup, along with Michelle Steinbrecher and Juliana Sauder, is organizing the first fundraising crop to benefit the Bowmansville Fire Company (BFC).

The BFC fundraiser crop, which will offer a total of 24 hours of crafting, will be held over two days - Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29 - at Living Hope Christian Fellowship Church, 1488 Reading Road, Mohnton, just outside Bowmansville. On March 28, the crop will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 10 p.m. Lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages will be included in the table price. On March 29, the crop will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and brunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages will be included.

Although crops originally were scrapbooking events, the BFC fundraiser will welcome individuals doing any kind of craft. "(Participants) bring whatever they're working on to work on with friends," explained Crissup. "You bring your own projects and supplies." Crissup noted that some craft enthusiasts bring everything they are working on while others only bring certain projects. "There have been people who bring supplies but just use the day to organize and get ideas," she noted. Crissup has run a similar event in Morgantown to benefit the Twin Valley Food Pantry for the last two years, and she recalled some of the types of crafts she has seen participants bring to that event. "One woman brought a sewing machine to do pre-quilting," said Crissup, adding that another woman made fleece blankets, fringing the edges and tying them off. Other participants make jewelry or do diamond painting.

"It's just the ladies getting together and doing what they like to do anyway, and the funds go to whichever charity," explained Crissup. "Each woman rents her own table," Crissup noted, adding that the 8-foot tables will be arranged for easy conversation and networking. "Friends can rent adjacent tables," she pointed out, noting that a space on the registration form asks a participant whom she would like to have at adjoining tables. "We push tables together and seat accordingly," she stated.

Crissup said local restaurants are contacted regarding food for the event and that the registration form asks about food allergies. A few scrapbooking vendors will have displays at the event as well.

Crissup, who has run scrapbooking retreats in the past, first became involved with fundraising crops when she took part in one in the Boyertown area as a vendor. While there, she and a friend connected with the organizer of the Morgantown event and learned that she planned to step down. That crop was being held once a year in the winter. Crissup and her friend rescheduled the event for two days. "We are using that same framework for this event," noted Crissup, who first brought up the possibility of doing a fire company benefit at a fall BFC meeting. BFC members were interested in having her hold a similar event. "There is some excitement," said Crissup, who noted she would like to see all 50 tables full for both days of the crop. "I'm hoping to fill 30, but 50 would be fabulous," she said. Crissup said organizers hope to raise up to $5,000 for BFC and that funds will be used for operational expenses and for the new engine the fire company is purchasing for about $900,000.

Readers who wish to take part in the crop may visit http://www.eventbrite.com and search for "Bowmansville Fire Company Fundraiser Crop." Individuals with questions may email denise.crissup@bowmansvillefire.org.

"Whatever craft you can do yourself and hang out with your friends, give yourself permission to spend a day or two doing that," said Crissup, who also suggested brainstorming with friends at the crop or walking around to see what others have brought to work on. "Some gals who know each other only meet up a few times a year, and they share photos," she said. "That's the main focus."