By Cindy Stone
Special Contributor

This year’s Christmas Bazaar promises to be the best ever at the Bulverde Senior Center, 30280 Cougar Bend, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8. More vendors are participating this year than in the past.

A big part of the event is our Christmas bake sale, for those who love to offer homemade goodies over the holidays, but don’t have time to bake. Our gift shop will be open and Christmas craft items are abundant. The rummage sale sponsored by BSC promises to have a variety of items at reasonable prices.

We will serve lunch of hot dogs or Frito pie and a soda, so you can plan to spend the day with us.

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center will have their mobile unit available to take blood donations between 9 a.m. and noon during the bazaar. All participants will receive a free T-shirt and cookies. We encourage you to give blood, if possible.

Monday morning we came into the center after talented (and appreciated) volunteers trimmed trees and decorated for the Christmas season. We enjoyed games and lunch as the sun shined in our windows, at last. Some noticed our new stove and microwave in the kitchen. We were happy to see Murray and Twila Sweet back with us. We miss those unable to join us and we hold them in our hearts, looking forward to seeing them soon.

Annual membership dues for 2008, in the amount of $15, are being accepted by Doris Haecker. You will receive a membership card, verifying membership. Remember that we have associate memberships for those a little younger, giving all rights of membership except voting and serving on the board of directors. 

If you or someone you know would be willing to serve on the board, please let one of the nominating committee know. They are Phil Gaston, Tonie Rogers and Glenna Croft. Election of new officers will be held on Jan. 21.

We’re asking our community to save the pull tabs off soda cans and drop them off at the center any weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., to benefit the Ronald McDonald houses. If you are unfamiliar with Ronald McDonald houses, they provide a home away from home for the families of seriously ill children while they are being treated at a local hospital. Toss your tabs into a container to drop off at BSC periodically. Your effort will be so appreciated.

The Smithson Valley High School PALs will have a Christmas Banquet on Seniors Night Out, 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 15 Sign up early to be counted.

There are two boxes at the center for new toys to be distributed through the Lions Club and the Community Services Center. We encourage you to participate by dropping off one or more unwrapped gifts for a child. If we each bring at least one thing, we can contribute to the joy of a child.

“Just as a wave cannot exist for itself, but must always participate in the swell of the ocean, so we can never experience life by ourselves, but must always share the experience of life that takes place all around us.” - Albert Schweitzer