November is here and to many that means “Bazaar Time,” especially to the members of the Oroville Women’s Club, also known as Oroville Junior Women.

These women volunteer many hours to the organization of one of Oroville’s and possibly the county’s longest running Christmas arts and craft bazaars. It’s well past 30 years and still going strong in spite of some changes throughout the years. With declining membership for one reason or another the club still plans, organizes and advertises for this large annual event which members feel is an important part of Oroville history. The bazaar is always slated for the weekend before Thanksgiving on Friday evening and Saturday mid-morning to mid-afternoon. It’s a well known “gathering event” for community members of all ages and surrounding areas, with usually 50 plus vendors offering a variety of goods for all to enjoy. Santa usually makes an early appearance to sprinkle Christmas holiday cheer and to listen to Christmas wish lists from the excited little voices of children gearing up for the excitement of Christmas morning.

This bazaar is one of the main fundraisers for OWC and helps fund club programs and projects throughout the year such as their scholarship, Angels in Action and Gifts for Kids just to name a few.

The Gifts for Kids program is another large project getting underway this month. It was started many years ago by the organization as another way to help families and their children of the community during the holiday season that are less fortunate at this time of year. It is a program that has become very dear to the club and is looked forward to every year by members. The program relies on OWC funds as well as generous donations from community members. Despite the growing economic circumstances in the area, people have always been willing to donate to this worthwhile program. “It couldn’t be done without the generosity of this community,” members say.

Oroville Women’s Club meets every second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. The 2011 officers are president, Charleen Kemper; vice president, Renee Ewalt; recording secretary, Patty Lawrence; treasurer, Kally Berlinger and correspondence secretary, Traci Neal. This organization devotes itself to community service, volunteering, and friendship. Women of all ages are welcome.

For information on the Bazaar, Gifts for Kids program or the Oroville Women’s Club in general call Kemper at (734) 260-3353.