Holiday cheer abounds at PSNI's Christmas Market
KATHY HUBBARD / Contributing Writer | Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 1 day, 1 hour AGO
Eliyah Allen, left, and Cara Warren, clients of Panhandle Special Needs, Inc., along with Santa, invite the public to visit PSNI's Christmas Market in the Greenhouse, 1424 N. Boyer today through Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Photo courtesy PANHANDLE SPECIAL NEEDS, INC.
When I stepped into Panhandle Special Needs, Inc.’s Christmas Market the other day, I was overwhelmed with holiday joy.
This year, over 50 vendors have outdone themselves by offering creative and clever goods, all of which will be perfect for everyone on your gift list. Held at PSNI’s Greenhouse, 1424 N. Boyer in Sandpoint, the market is open seven days a week through Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Honestly, it’s hard to know where to start to look. Creative artwork, hand painted glassware, PSNI client-designed mugs, calendars and totes, varieties of vinegars and honey fill the room. And then, there are fresh wreaths and fresh Christmas trees for sale. It all made me wish I had more people to buy presents for. So, I did what any smart person would do, I bought things for myself.
“No two vendors’ items are alike, everything is unique,” said Kim Derr, PSNI’s Work Services manager and market coordinator. “We have two vendors who sell repurposed vintage art and just about everything else is handmade. You have to come see it to believe it.”
Panhandle Special Needs, Inc. serves our community’s developmentally disabled population. The clients are involved in the Christmas Market in many ways. They help Derr set up and manage the booths, they restock the merchandise during the week and clean up at the end of each day. Several clients are on hand to help patrons carry out their purchases.
The goal for each client is to help them reach their potential. Through Work Services, they’re taught how to become more independent, find employment and become an asset to the community. PSNI's funding is limited, and the Christmas Market is a relatively small source of income which helps them continue these badly needed programs.
If you would like more information about PSNI or to make a donation, please go to their website, www.panhandlespecialneeds.org. There you will find information about all the programs that PSNI provides. I’d tell you more, but I just thought of someone who would love one of those glass ornaments.