Holiday shoppers unite! Plans are being finalized for the Prom Plus Holiday Boutique!

By Charly SHELTON

Yesterday was Halloween, which means the holiday season officially starts now! Time for delicious sweets, gift shopping and goodwill toward all. What better way to kick off the season than by doing all three at once at the annual Prom Plus Holiday Boutique that is being held next Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crescenta Valley Park community room. The annual fundraiser benefits the organization that annually hosts a $20,000 after-prom party to give high school kids a way to have fun and stay safe. Of the year-round schedule of fundraisers, the holiday boutique is among the largest.

“Prom Plus, now in its 25th year, has hosted a holiday boutique for the last decade or so. Over the years it has grown to be one of the most highly anticipated shopping events of the holiday season,” said Robin Goldsworthy, president of Prom Plus. “This is in part due to the diversity of the products that we offer – everything from homemade ornaments to skin care products, from linens to clothes. Our boutique coordinator, Diana Tyson, oversees the boutique and has nurtured it over the years so it has become the event it is today.”

From personalized mugs and fabric items to art prints to magic candles and runic totems to handmade bowls from the Empty Bowls event at Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church, there is something to spark everyone’s interest for holiday shopping from among the 30-plus vendors on-site. Not only is it a gift shopping event, it also fosters goodwill to all by helping the youth of the community through Prom Plus.

“What I really want people to know is that it’s not just a fun event where they can bring their kids – all ages are welcome. Not only are they able to do fun shopping but they’re giving back with every penny they spend. Of every purchase that’s made, 15% goes directly to Prom Plus,” Tyson said. “And, if they buy raffle tickets, every penny goes directly to Prom Plus. People can shop, have fun, be part of the community and give back to the community all at the same time.”

With gift shopping and goodwill, it’s time for some delicious treats. And, in a very California way, the holiday treats include the Kona Ice Shaved Ice truck, which will be parked outside to provide snow cones to hungry shoppers.

The morning begins with a performance at 10 a.m. by the local woman’s group Monday@JoJo’s and the Crescenta Valley High School a cappella group the Charismatics at 11 a.m.

“The holiday boutique is a wonderful way to get a jump on holiday shopping plus it’s an easy and fun way to support such a worthwhile event,” Goldsworthy said. “This year’s boutique promises to be even bigger and I’m looking forward to seeing shoppers and Prom Plus supporters come out on Saturday, Nov. 10.”

CV Park is located at 3901 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.

  Charly Shelton