by Cesse Ip

For the second year in a row, local DCPS elementary schools have joined forces to fundraise together this holiday season. This year the Petworth PTO Holiday Mart is hosted by Powell Padres at the Powell Elementary School parking lot at the corner of 14th and Taylor Street NW on Saturday, December 17th from 10am-2pm.

Booths will be set up in the parking lot and each school with have a winter-themed offering, with sales benefiting each respective Parent Teacher Organization.

Here is what you’ll find from each school:

Powell Padres - Hot Chocolate Bar and coffee with a bake sale
Barnard PTA - Holiday Cards
Dorothy Height PTO - Ornaments/holiday decoration making
John Lewis - Chocolate covered pretzels, hot chocolate reindeer goodies, make your own ornament stand/take home kits
Truesdell - Slime Bar with Add-Ons

Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George came out to support the 2021 Mart

Local vendors have also been invited to participate. The following vendors are planning on participating:

Stone Designs - Handmade jewelry
Storied Creatives - Holiday ornaments
district BATCH - Natural skin care and soap
Gardens and Pots - Hand-made pottery designed for table, mugs, bowls, cups and more
Nayaaaa Solutions - Snowman soup, tea wallets, bath mitts for kids

Children’s entertainment will be provided by Mr. Rob with a music performance for kids ages 0-6 and an instrument petting zoo from 12:50pm-1:30pm.

Last year the holiday mart raised thousands of dollars for seven Title 1 DCPS schools in our neighborhood. The school communities are excited to come together again for a day of community, crafting, fun, and fundraising! Please come and support your local DCPS school and help us spread the word!

It’s also lottery season, so this is a great way to meet current families of our local schools.