New Fairfield Sherman Animal Welfare Society (NFSAW) is hosting a festive fundraiser this weekend at Luth eran Church of the Good Shepherd–Saturday, 12/3, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., admission and parking are free. Or, for those who would like to get an early jump on the shopping, there is a Sneak Peek event on Friday, 12/2, 5:00-8:00 p.m. with $5 admission.

Holiday Boutique shoppers can feel great about the fact that 100% of the profits from this event go to support the animal shelter. In purchasing a seasonal table runner, ornament, or wreath, a boutique attendee is also essentially funding shelter animal care and relocation services—costs for which have risen sharply due to inflation—in addition to the spay and neuter efforts for three local large feral cat colonies.

NFSAW board member Suzanne Glynn, who has spent twenty years on the board but many more involved with the boutique, says the “event is one of the most exciting times of the year for the shelter.” It is a wonderful time for shoppers, too. Suzanne describes the “ohhhs and ahhs” uttered by boutique goers and said, “you know you’re doing such a great thing for the animals. It’s just awesome.”

Driven by donations, the event planners receive heaps of handmade goods, in addition to other items. A banner year, Glynn says, “we’ve had a lot more outside donations,” including a large number of items from the New Fairfield Lions Club. If you have visited the NFSAW Holiday Boutiques before, you’ll be glad to see that “we still have the same trees,” Glynn said. Themed trees, such as Disney, Warner Brothers, and Winnie-the-Pooh, are available, plus small, battery-operated, desk-appropriate trees will be on hand. New to the Boutique? Be wowed by the multitude of gorgeous quilts and quilted items, plus live wreaths, fresh honey, and more. In addition to the items for sale, shoppers can take part in themed raffles, including spa, wine, picnic, and game baskets. Plus, partake in baked goods, coffee, and cocoa.

The offerings are always a surprise, Glynn says, “we never know what we’re going to get donated. And it’s just so brilliant that everybody loves to be part of it.” Oftentimes the benefactors are anonymous, given that people randomly drop items off in the front of the shelter. The event’s bestsellers are always the pet toys, such as the homemade cat toys that are filled with catnip. Owners and their pets—yes, they are welcome to attend the Holiday Boutique—will find it tough to choose from among the pet-related goods.

Glynn spearheads the collective effort of coordinating the Holiday Boutique. “It’s not just a one man band,” she clarified, “I always have a lot of help.” She is glad to put in so much volunteering, along with over twenty other volunteers who currently help at the shelter, saying, “it makes me happy knowing that the money and all the time that is spent is all about the animals. It’s all for the animals. It just makes my heart happy.”

In addition to attending the Holiday Boutique, NFSAW accepts financial donations online at NFSAW.org, you can bring food and other donations to the shelter, or volunteer for the shelter’s new Home to Home program, an animal foster care initiative.

Gather your family, including your pet(s), and head to the NFSAW Holiday Boutique this weekend—cash, check, or credit cards accepted. As Glynn said, “It’s really just a great, fun time.”

By Sarah Opdahl