Fundraisers

Gaia Community does not run purely by the hard work and time of its members, nor the pledges and offerings taken up each week. Our Stewardship Committee also conducts several fundraisers each year, some of which are described below in more detail.

Gaia Community Garage Sale

Each year, in the late spring or early summer, Gaia Community offers members and friends a chance to get rid of their old stuff for a good cause at the Gaia Garage Sale. Held at the home of a member, the sale usually runs Friday and Saturday.

The 2009 Gaia Garage Sale will be held June 5th and 6th at David & Kimberly's house, 1306 E 118th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131. If you have stuff to donate, or if you want to volunteer to help set up or staff the sale, please contact Kimberly.

God Auction

Athena has been selected as the patron for 2011-2012!

History

In 2003, Gaia Community experimented with a "Pagan Traditions of the World" format to our rituals, with several cycles of rituals from different traditions: British Traditional Wicca, Hellenic Paganism, Druidry, and Kemetic (Egyptian) Paganism, among others. The Egyptian Chapter introduced us to an ancient/modern concept of a "God Auction", whereby temples of a city would collect donations of food and goods to discern who would be the patron of the city. That temple (and its deity) was then given a place of prominence for the coming year, as well as having additional responsibilities to distribute that wealth and food to the needy.
After the first auction (which was a vigorous success as a fundraiser for the community), we made some changes to the format, to better reflect the eclectic tastes of our community:
  • Since 2004, all four contenders come from different pantheons, owing to the diverse nature of our members' beliefs;
  • Final-four contenders from the previous year (and for now, all previous winners) may not make an appearance in the next auction, to give other candidates a fair chance;
  • Several rounds of questions will take place, with an opportunity to make donations after each question (tiebreaker rounds are possible if time permits and the outcome is close);
  • Each contender generally provides a gift of some sort to their highest individual bidder; in addition, there is a "Gods' Gifts" basket of goods for the highest overall monetary donor;
  • Since 2006, a "penny auction" has been held in the spring to narrow a field of candidates down to the final four contenders; only coins are accepted for this "pre-selection", but any denomination is acceptable.

Past Contenders and Winners

  • June 2003: Bast, Hathor, Osiris and Thoth; Osiris won.
  • July 2004: Arianrhod, Athena, Faunus and Kuan Yin; Arianrhod won.
  • July 2005: Eris, Lugh, Odin and Venus; Lugh won.
  • July 2006: Bast, Ganesh, Hestia, and Oghma; Hestia won.
  • July 2007: Apollo, Brigid, Freya, and the Flying Spaghetti Monster; Brigid won.
  • July 2008: Artemis, the Green Man, Persephone, and Thor; Thor won.
  • July 2009: Eris, Hermes, Isis, and Thoth; Thoth won.
  • July 2010: Artemis, Cai-Shen, Grandmother Spider, and Quetzalcoatl; Quetzalcoatl won.
  • July 2011: Athena, Freyr, James T. Kirk, and Rabbit; Athena won

Longest Night Ball

In December of 2008, Gaia Community added a new kind of event to its calendar, a masked ball to celebrate the Winter Solstice. The Longest Night Masked Ball took place at Broadway Church on the Solstice night. We had music and dancing, delicious food, a silent auction, event photography, and a special dance performance to mark the seasonal transition at midnight. The party was attended by some 60 people, and a good time was had by all!

Thanks are in order to Elizabeth Jordan Leggett for our poster design, Justin Bale of Pop Free Radio for music and dj services, Russ Matthews for event photography, Caroline Baughman of Breath of Gold Productions for her performance as the Star Princess, and to all our volunteers.

We held the ball again in 2009, and next year we expect to hold it again (probably the third week of December); watch this space for more information. If you would like to help plan or put on 2009's party, please contact the Stewardship Committee.

The Bazaar

Are you a pagan or pagan-friendly artist or crafter who wants to show off and sell your wares? Are you interested in buying handmade gifts for yourself or others that are a little bit different from what you find at the average arts and crafts fair? If so, you'll want to check out the Bazaar at Gaia Community.

Initially created as a way to facilitate the sometimes-difficult dance of the winter holiday gift-giving season, the Bazaar is now envisioned as a way to connect makers, buyers, and sellers in the wider pagan community. At the Bazaar, you'll see a variety of vendors offering apparel, ritual supplies, candles, herbal health and beauty products, costumery and garb, jewelry, food, leather-craft, books, unique home decor, and more. You'll be entertained with music and dance, and have the opportunity to enjoy a massage or a tarot reading. The Kitchen Witches of Gaia Community turn out with tasty baked goods for sale, and truly special items are offered up in a raffle.

In 2009, Gaia Community is planning a Harvest Bazaar in the fall; watch this space for more information! If you'd like to participate as a vendor, a performer, or a volunteer, or if you would like to make a donation for the Bazaar, please contact the Stewardship Committee.

Vendor Information and Registration for the 2009 Fall Bazaar

Event Information

The Fall Bazaar will be held from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, October 24th, at the Old Mission Masonic Lodge, 5201 West 75th Street, in Prairie Village, KS . Vendors are encouraged to register as early as possible so we can have space and materials available to help make your participation a success.

Online Registration

All registrations and fees are due by October 11th to reserve your space!

















   





Space requirements (select one; click 'Add to Cart' button as well, if paying online):
  • Booth: $85
  • Table: $45
  • Booth (G.C. member): $45
  • Table (G.C. member): $25




Special Requests (multiple booths, more than 2 tables, electricity, etc):


We will confirm that we received your registration within seven days.



Help Us Advertise

We are advertising through a number of local and regional outlets, but we always welcome help in spreading the word.
Please feel free to link this page widely and share information about the Bazaar with your customers and other vendors this season. A flyer will be available soon for display as well.