December 14, 2023
Don and Claudette Evans are longtime regulars at Galilee, so they remember that we used to do something like a Christmas festival at the church —though we hadn’t done one in some time! Claudette decided to fix this by organizing Galilee’s Holiday Bazaar, which was held on Sunday, December 3. It was a terrific seasonal party, and holiday market, and fundraiser.
“The results truly exceeded my expectations,” says Claudette. “Folks seemed to genuinely enjoy the bazaar, the congregation was exceptionally generous with their donations and time, and we helped feed hungry children in the process!”
“We raised $6,384 (independent of the sales that our 18 vendors made), and that will go directly to support Backpack Buddies. We are also able to donate gift cards and prizes to local charities, like the LAWS shelter in Leesburg.”
Don and Claudette Evans
“I had a DREAM TEAM of a steering group: Linda Stead, Kathi Miller, Kristen Jenkins, Carmen Smith, Lori O’Connell and Emilie Beckelhimer. Each brought their vision, skills, initiative and commitment to make the event something much grander than I had first conceived.”
“I’m amazed at the dedication of the steering group and other volunteers – everybody was “all in.” I was also pleasantly surprised how smoothly things ran the day of the event, given it was our first rodeo.”
“This was a very rewarding experience,” says Claudette. And indeed, it was. The bazaar was held right after Sunday worship, so congregants and members of the public poured into our gym and hallways to find an abundance of crafts, gifts, baked goods, raffle prizes, and wonderful items put up for silent auction. As attendees shopped, members of the choir sang Christmas carols. It was a great way to start the holiday season—and help Backpack Buddies.
Don and Claudette have been at Galilee for more than 25 years because, Claudette says, “We like its positivity and warmth, its emphasis on welcoming all, the (sometimes challenging) sermons, the choir, and of course the friendships we’ve made. The small groups have also been a wonderful experience. And finally, the opportunities to serve.”
Claudette is well known at church because of her participation in the Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study and other groups. Don is perhaps better known by Galilee’s younger members, because he teaches Sunday school and Confirmation classes. Don has a passion for imparting the facts of ancient history and his clay models—for example of the walls of Jericho—are legendary with Galilee’s young learners.
The Evanses met while working in Washington DC. Claudette was raised as a Catholic in Milwaukee and came to the East Coast to pursue graduate studies. Don grew up in a Presbyterian family in Seattle, served in the military, and after passing the bar came to DC to be a legislative assistant for Congressman John Ashbrook. They got acquainted when Claudette was at a trade association where Don was assigned as an attorney.
The Evans daughters, Kelsey and Hayley
They have two daughters. Kelsey, 29, graduated from Marquette University and now works as committee staff for the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. Hayley, 27, is at home while she finishes her master’s degree in International Peace and Reconciliation at American University.
What do Don and Claudette do when they’re not in church? Well they’re not sitting around watching the news (“We rarely agree on politics,” reports Claudette). Rather, they pursue their many interests. Don’s love of history inspired a trip to Greece in 2022, as well as lots of visits to museums and historic sites. Claudette enjoys crafts (which is no surprise for someone who organized so many craft vendors and artistic donations at our bazaar), as well as cooking and painting. They are both avid readers.
The next Sunday you see Claudette and Don, give them a wave. We owe them a big thanks for all they do for Galilee, and especially for making the season brighter with their work on a magnificent holiday bazaar.
Holiday Bazaar at a Glance:
