By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The walls of the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena were transformed into a holiday wonderland as vendors from across the South gathered for The Rotary Club of Alabaster-Pelham’s A Southern Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Debbie Parrott, who serves as the chairperson over the market, shared that this year’s installment of A Southern Christmas Bazaar was a success.

“Today, we have had 41 vendors that have been here selling their craft, art and food, just a variety of different things,” Parrott said. “Shoppers come in from all around Shelby County to take advantage of all these crafts people being in one place.”

In addition to the vendors, the Christmas market also featured performances of live music throughout the day, including a jazz band and ukulele group. The day also featured special guest, Santa Claus, who posed for pictures with children.

A Southern Christmas Bazaar is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Rotary Club of Alabaster-Pelham. According to Parrott, A Southern Christmas Bazaar has raised more than $250,000 over the years.

“The money that we raise at this event goes right back into Shelby County, and that’s the purpose of Rotary—to help people in need,” Parrott said.

Rotary Club member Bob Van Loan shared that the Rotary Club frequently supports several charitable organizations in Shelby County, but that the larger public isn’t always aware of the work that they do.

“(People) are probably not aware of how much work we do throughout the community, not just hands on work, but also the amount of money that we generate from events like this that go to other social services organizations to help them distribute to their clients or patients, or whatever their mission might be,” Van Loan said.

In an effort to support Shelby County, the Rotary Club donates to charities that support one of Rotary’s seven area of focus, including disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, peacebuilding and conflict prevention, community economic development and the environment.

In the past, the Rotary Club of Pelham-Alabaster has donated to the Pelham library, Community of Hope , Harvest House, Oak Mountain Missions, The Arc of Shelby County, the Liberty Learning Foundation and Owens House.

Those interested in more information about the Rotary Club of Alabaster-Pelham can visit Alabasterpelhamrotary.org.