More than 25 years ago, a group of women at Turlock’s Good Shepherd Lutheran church got together and combined their love for creating one-of-a-kind hand-made crafts into a community event to help others in need.

“When we originally started, the object behind it was we wanted to start a women’s retreat,” said Sandy Mann. “Of course, we had no money. So, half of what we raised went to the women’s retreat and half went to local charities.”

Turlock’s Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 640 N. Minaret Ave., will host its annual Holiday Craft Faire Nov. 12-14 inside the church’s social hall, located at the confluence of Minaret, Lyons Avenue and East Main Street.

The three-day, nonprofit event will feature quality hand-made quilts, blankets, aprons, bibs, dishtowels, table runners, placemats, and many other homemade goodies. All proceeds benefit local organizations.

The faire will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 12 and 13, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Complimentary coffee and tea will be available, as will low-cost lunch options each day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Admission is free and there is no charge for parking.

A special appearance will be made by Genesis, the church’s official comfort dog – a specially trained canine that provides emotional support and comfort to individuals in various settings.

Unlike some other craft fairs in the area, Good Shepherd’s Holiday Craft Faire is a nonprofit event, with all proceeds benefiting local organizations. Last year, the group was able to write $500 checks to 10 different local charities: United Samaritans Daily Bread, Salvation Army, Turlock Gospel Mission, We Care Men’s Shelter, We Care Meals, Jessica’s House, His Hands to His Children, Prodigal Sons and Daughters, Turlock Pregnancy Center, and grief counseling.

Past recipients include Westside Ministries and Teen Challenge. The group has also raised money for grief-share and cancer awareness programs, and for the church youth group –raising money for the women’s retreat is a thing of the past, however.

“Before COVID, we were doing really well,” said Mann. “COVID slowed us down, even though we still managed to hold the event. Then we had the remodel of the church and that hindered us.”

But the group has regained its stride and gathers in the social hall twice weekly from about 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.

“Anybody is welcome to come down and join us,” said Mann, a native of Yakima, Wash., who moved to the Central Valley for her freshman year of high school (she was a member of the first graduating class of Grace Davis High in Modesto). “It’s not just for the church members.”

You don’t even have to know how to sew. The Good Shepherd group will help you get started.
“Even if you don’t know how to sew, we can teach you,” said Shirley Borchardt, who volunteers along with her husband, Paul. “We’ve got sewing machines available.”

But it’s not just sewn products. You can find floral arrangements, wreaths, wood crafts, baked goods, nuts and fruits, jams and jellies.

And make no mistake; the work doesn’t occur solely during the few weeks leading up to the November craft faire.

“It’s all year long,” said Mann. “And we get a lot of items donated, too. Cloth and Quilts in Hilmar has been particularly good to us. They’ve donated material in the past and they do our quilting.”

After more than a quarter century, Mann said she still enjoys the laborious work of sewing and quilting – even though it can be tough on the body.

“It’s been great to give to those charities,” said Mann, who reckons the group has donated more than $150,000 to various organizations. “They’ve been so appreciative.”