By Taylor J. Hale
Special to the Gazette

PLOVER — The Sky Club Supper Club in Plover became home to a festive crafts fair with a generous purpose, to alleviate the stresses of families in need, at the annual Crafting for a Cause fundraiser on Dec. 5. The event started 9-years ago and is continuing its charitable pursuits.

Each year, the event selects a family to help support during a turbulent time of need. Event organizer, Jill Nemeth, understands the struggles and tribulations that accompany a family members illness, especially a child’s. She along with her friend, Jamie Zimmers, created the event to help during a period of need.

(Photo: Taylor Hale, Portage County Gazette)

“The event started 9-years ago when my daughter was sick. It was just a simple craft fair that I was supposed to be a part of,” Nemeth said. “It wasn’t intended to be a fundraiser. But my friends that I was doing the craft show with decided to give a kickback of the earnings to help while my daughter was in the hospital.”

Nemeth’s daughter, Hope Nemeth, now age 18, was stricken with Meningitis and Encephalitis at the age of 10. Nemeth’s friends and the community came together effervescently to help a child in need. The Sky Club has hosted the event since it originated, and donates 10 percent of food sales to the fundraiser, too. Nemeth knew they were on to something big after the event’s first year.

“It was a great response. We knew we had a great idea. We started to call it Crafting for a Cause,” Nemeth explained. “We began to pick a family each year that needed help and work with them. We have a craft sale, raffles, admissions and the sky Club donates a portion of their food sales for the night to all go to the family to help with their finances.”

(Photo: Taylor Hale, Portage County Gazette)

Eli Krug, a young girl from Portage County, was picked to be supported this year by Crafting for a Cause. She was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a condition that severely affects blood flow. Nemeth’s efforts to give back are indicative of her personal beliefs.

“We are on this earth to help each other,” Nemeth said. “Things like this bring people together.” The fundraiser has collectively netted over $45,000 since it started. Zimmers, the co-founder of the event, moved to North Dakota with her family several years ago, but still comes back specifically for the night of giving. Nemeth and Zimmers show poise and tact in their organizational skills and have a deep veneration for the fundraiser.

“It is fantastic to live in a community that supports each other,” Nemeth said. To get in touch with Crafting for a Cause visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Crafting-for-a-Cause-2018-1497341227205414/.