Crafting for a Cause: Turning creativity into compassion

Every fall, Clark County Fairgrounds comes alive with the Fall at the Fairgrounds Craft Show – a vibrant marketplace hosting over 150 vendors, including artists, crafters and food trucks, showcasing jewelry, baked goods, fiber arts and more, hosted by Craft Shows for a Cause.

The show’s spirit is one of creativity, community, and charity – inspired by a broader mission that was sparked in the aftermath of the pandemic.

“The show started after COVID, when there were so many animals being abandoned by their owners. Times were tough, people were losing their jobs,” says Sandy Pinkerton, founder of Craft Shows for a Cause. “The animals were suffering through no fault of their own, shelters were suffering, and many charities were suffering. Crafters were also suffering because for them the craft circuit is their only source of income.”

Noticing these trends locally, Pinkerton came up with an idea that could help.

 “I thought we could combine the two,” she says. “Have a craft show and help the dogs and cats, plus other charities that were also suffering.” 

From that vision came a series of craft shows with a heart – gatherings that brought together crafters, animal lovers, and community members, all united by compassion and creativity. 

Each craft show serves as both a marketplace and a mission, where vendors showcase handmade goods while donations and proceeds directly benefit local shelters and charities. Attendees contribute through an entry fee of $3, as well as encouraged “kindness donations” of supplies such as paper towels or trash bags to support local dog shelters. 

Together, these efforts help provide much-needed resources for animal rescues and community organizations across the region. 

Pinkerton began her craft show journey by supporting the Second Harvest Food Bank, and has since participated in numerous events benefiting organizations such as the Clark County Dog Shelter, Clark County SPCA, Barely Used Pet Rescue in Urbana, Gifts with Grace in Bellefontaine, 4 Paws for Ability and Halo K9 Shelter in Xenia, the Greene County Animal Shelter, Mechanicsburg SWAT Dog, the Champaign County and Clark County Animal Welfare Leagues, Providing for Women in Xenia, and the Greater Springfield Association of Fundraising Professionals. 

With each event, it became apparent that this was more than a marketplace – it was a lifeline.  

“Over $42,000 cash has been given to these organizations since 2021,” Pinkerton adds. But the generosity didn’t stop there. 

“That’s in addition to the thousands donated as in-kind donations that attendees bring with them to the shows,” Pinkerton says. “This includes trash bags, dog food, paper towels, etc.”

The impact has also spread beyond dollars and supplies, with over 28 dogs adopted over the years of the festival. At past events, a select number of adoptable dogs have been highlighted by the Clark County Dog Shelter. 

As the donations, attendance, and shops have grown, so has the dream behind them. 

“My ultimate goals are to expand my organization to help others even more,” Pinkerton explains. 

However, keeping the effort alive has required immense dedication – and a call for helping hands. 

“I don’t have many volunteers,” Pinkerton says. “I need help setting up for these shows, collecting money at the door, getting the word out with better and more advertising, soliciting sponsors, etc.”

From one idea born out of crisis came a community of hope – proof that even in the hardest times, compassion and creativity can make something beautiful together. 

This year’s show will be held at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Springfield on October 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on October 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Vendor booths cost $135 to be outdoors and $185 to be indoors. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/fallatthefairgrounds/.

To volunteer, become a vendor, or get more information, contact Sandy Pinkerton at TSwithSandyP@prodigy.net or at 937-207-8613.