Holiday festivities were underway at the annual Rescuing Families Inc. Holiday Craft and Gift Boutique at VFW Post No. 2718 on Nov. 23.
The Franklin Square event included a variety of local vendors who offered a diverse mix of handmade crafts such as caricatures, knitwear, baked goods, pens, soaps, and even specialty drinks like coquito. But, what customers may not know, many of these vendors work year round creating and selling their crafts.
Gina Centauro, who founded Rescuing Families with her husband, Vincent Centauro, said her goal for the event is to shine a spotlight on artists in the industry so people know who they are and where they can find them in the future.
“I think that’s what the most important thing is,” she said of the event. “You’re supporting your neighbors.”
In order to achieve this goal, Centauro said she provides a space for these artists to come together and sell their creations from a centralized location. For the community, she said, it’s a special experience to see who the artists are and how they make their crafts.
Amanda Kaminski, who crochets knitwear such as hats and scarves for her business, Amanda’s Cozy Creations, said going to craft fairs during the holidays is great for her business. She added that she believes handmade goods are a more thoughtful gift to give to friends and family.
“There’s a lot more thought and intention put into that rather than just going to the store to grab something,” Kaminski said.
Lisa Iacovetti, who owns LMI Designs and makes custom pens ranging from children’s characters to comical sayings, said she always brings her art supplies to events so customers can see that she actually makes the pens. She said she attends every Rescuing Families event, and she shows up to many other craft fairs across Long Island.
“Wherever they pop up, I’m there,” Iacovetti said.
Jackie Perazzo, who sells her handmade soaps for her husband’s company, Soap Yourself Happy, said she does a lot of craft fairs and even sells her products online. Perazzo said she started making soap so she could learn to use her hands again after multiple brain surgeries, and now customers seek out specific events she appears in as a result of her large following on social media.
Yvette Bognar, owner of Evie’s Coquito, has been selling her homemade coquito at craft fairs since early this year. While she does craft fairs all the time, Bognar said it isn’t always easy to run her business when the event organizers don’t advertise or support it properly.
However, Bognar said Centauro does everything right by promoting and sharing the event on social media and the Rescuing Families website.
Centauro agreed with Bognar’s concerns and added there are many other challenges to keeping these businesses running. She said mall culture and social media are obstacles for local vendors because many customers on Long Island are programmed to purchase from national chains or online.
But, Gina Centauro said, it’s important to keep these local vendors in business as a way for the community to support their friends, families, and neighbors more directly.
Despite its difficulties, many vendors at the craft fair said they love doing these events, and that’s why they keep coming back.
“I’m happy with what I do, and I love doing it,” Bognar said. “And that’s why, on my part, it says homemade with love.”
Centauro pointed out that many of these vendors have been with her since the very first Rescuing Families craft fair three years ago. She said the fact that they’ve stayed with her this long must mean she’s doing something right.
As a fundraiser, Centauro said the event is a special opportunity for locals to find unique gifts for their loved ones during the holidays and beyond.
“What better way to find a gift that specifically suits somebody than something that’s made with love and care?” Centauro said.
Proceeds from Rescuing Families go towards people with disabilities and financial hardships. For more information about Centauro’s charity, visit RescuingFamilies.org.
