Spring Craft Fair to benefit Deserae Turner

The Spring Craft Fair benefiting Deserae Turner will take place at Greenville Elementary, located at 2450 N. 400 E. in North Logan. Proceeds will be applied to her family's immediate financial needs. 

When Eric Crowther and his girlfriend, Maura Hemmert learned that 14-year-old Deserae Turner had been gravely injured on Feb. 16—the victim of a robbery and shooting in Smithfield—they got to work right away, laying the groundwork for a community-centered event to assist her family with their immediate financial needs. Throughout the past month, Crowther and Hemmert, who live in Hyde Park, have been working to coordinate a Spring Craft Fair on the Amalga teen’s behalf. The event will take place at Greenville Elementary School (2450 N. 400 E. in North Logan) on April 7-8, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.

While Crowther and Hemmert don’t know Deserae and have no personal ties to her family, they do know that she faces a long road to recovery. What inspired them to help, said Crowther, is the widespread spirit of community that drives Cache Valley residents to serve whenever a tragedy hits home.

“We live in a great valley, and we’d like to do our part to kind of give back in a way,” he said. “This community really stands behind each other, and we would hope somebody would do something like this for us if we were in need. Maura has put so much heart and work into this. She’s been a rock star in making it happen.”

Working closely with Hemmert, more than 40 vendors have already committed to host booths at the Spring Craft Fair, and Hemmert said there’s still room for several more—as many as she can fit in the building. Items that will be available include makeup, jewelry, clothing, crafts and games, specialty foods, art and much more. From baby gear to bridal wear and bath bombs to books, Hemmert said there will be something for everyone.

“The community’s been amazing,” said Hemmert. “These local businesses have been so generous and so willing to help in any way they can.”

Crowther’s role in the planning process has been to spearhead prize drawings and coordinate food for the event. Already, the couple has received donations of goods and services valued at over $3,000, and all proceeds from drawing tickets and food sales will benefit the Turner family. Food donations to date include 60 large pizzas from the North Logan Domino’s and up to 400 pulled pork sandwiches from Lower Foods in Richmond. Prizes already contributed include merchandise from vendors, gift cards to restaurants, tickets for local entertainment and coupons for personal, household and auto services. Hemmert and Crowther welcome additional support to offset venue and advertising expenses for the event, encourage food sales and supply more prizes.

“We have things from all different walks of life around here in this valley that people have given,” said Crowther. “People don’t even hesitate when I go in and let them know what we’re doing. I mean, it’s going to go to a family that really needs it, and we may as well try our best to help. We’re just trying to raise as much as we possibly can.”

Admission to the Spring Craft Fair benefitting Deserae Turner will be free of charge, with prize drawing tickets priced at two for $3 or three for $5. Drawings for smaller prizes will take place throughout the event, with the Grand Prize Drawing being held on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Grand prizes include a $1,000 mattress from Fisher Home Furnishings and free oil changes and car washes for the life of a vehicle from Murdock Hyundai of Logan. Other large donors, whose prizes will be awarded on Saturday, include Angie’s Restaurant, Logan Lanes, Cache Honda Yamaha and the Eccles Ice Center. Ticketholders during the Grand Prize Drawing must be present to win.

“Anyone and everyone is invited to come out and support the event,” said Hemmert. “We’ve got really fun booths, awesome vendors that are coming together. We’re just wanting the community to know they can come support Deserae, enjoy great food and have a really fun weekend.”

For more information about the Spring Craft Fair, contact Maura Hemmert at 208-705-8215 or Eric Crowther at 435-881-7282.

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