Joint Base Lewis-McChord spouse Brandy Richardson has only been a member of the Lewis branch of the Enlisted Spouses Club (ESC) for a year, but she knew how important it was to resurrect the club's annual Spring Bazaar. The ESC had hosted the Spring Bazaar annually for several years but had to table it for the past few years because like many organizations, the club had felt the weight of the economy pressing upon them.

This year however, Richardson, the ESC parliamentarian, found ways to lower costs, and in doing so, bring back the event. One of the ways costs were lowered was by hosting the Spring Bazaar at the ESC clubhouse.

The Bazaar, which will be held the first weekend of May from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., has a wide variety of handmade crafts on sale. The seventeen vendors on site include 15 local JBLM military spouses.

Richardson is excited about the many different items that will be on display.

"It's all handmade and handcrafted," she said. "Wooden signs, purses, hair bows, blankets, two types of jewelry, candles, potpourri and so much more."

ESC host three fundraisers each year to raise money. The fundraisers are used to support local JBLM events and organizations.

"All of our earnings go back out into the community for welfare requests," Richardson said. "So far this year we have provided drinks for the retired family day, met and fulfilled a request from one of the elementary schools on post for equipment and we just gave money to the scholarship fund."

The Spring Bazaar will be held in building 4201 the Army Enlisted Spouses Club/Officers Spouses Club clubhouse. The building is located in the triangle of W Way, Lewis and Pendleton, caddy corner to the main post office.

For more information, call (253) 967-5849.

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