12th Annual ALS Benefit Craft Show Hopes to Grow After Ice Bucket Challenge

The ALS Artisan Boutique, volunteer-run craft show benefiting The ALS Association – DC/MD/VA Chapter, has been held for twelve years and hopes that the interest generated by the Ice Bucket Challenge will bring more visitors. This year’s show will feature sales of high quality art and crafts, a raffle and silent auction. Last year, the event drew over 1,000 visitors and raised over $45,000. This year, the ALS Artisan Boutique will take place on Dec. 7 from 10AM – 5PM at the Sheraton Hotel in Annapolis, MD.

This event started when Nancy Kriebel’s mother, Nancy Wright, was diagnosed with ALS. Mrs. Wright weakened quickly and in a matter of months went from using a cane, to a walker to a wheelchair. Nancy and her friends wanted to increase awareness of the disease and the free programs provided by the ALS Association – DC/MD/VA Chapter that were helping Mrs. Wright to live comfortably with the disease. Ultimately, they wanted to find a cure. They organized The ALS Artisan Boutique and, though Mrs. Wright passed away, this annual event continues to bring awareness and funds to help people living with ALS.

The event is free and open to the public. Over 55 regional artists will offer handcrafted jewelry, original children’s clothing and accessories, pottery, paintings and more. In addition to the artisan offerings, the event will include door prizes, raffles, a silent auction, refreshments and an appearance by Lisa McCue, an illustrator of children’s books, including the Corduroy series. Books will be available for signing. If you cannot attend but would like to help, donations can be made to the ALS Association and sent to 1221 Buckingham Road, Arnold, MD 21012. For more information, e-mail leslieschwartz3@gmail.com.

ALS is a devastating and always fatal neuromuscular disease. Unless a cure is found, over 30,000 Americans living today will die from ALS. The financial cost to families of persons with ALS can be up to $200,000 per year, depleting the entire savings of patients and their families.

The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about The ALS Association, visit our website at www.ALSinfo.org.