It may have been miserable outside, but the rain on Thursday did not stop dozens of excited shoppers from making their way to the annual Abbey-Palooza phenomenon which takes place on Richard Road near the shores of Trout Lake.
The fundraiser is the brain child of 11-year-old Abbey Mason and her family. Abbey is a Diabetic, and has been taking as many as four injections a day since she was two years old.
So the money raised at the annual spring event goes towards Juvenile Diabetes research.
“I want to keep doing this so we can continue to raise money and create awareness about Juvenile Diabetes,” said the W.J. Fricker student.
The Richard Road house, converted into a shopping plaza, had venders set up selling crafts, clothes, soaps, jewelry, and food. It also included the very popular raffle table.
This year some extra work was put in by neighbourhood helpers who put up large tarps for the driveway to keep the rain off some of the venders set up in the driveway.
Abbey’s Mother Amy Hopkins is proud the fundraiser continues to grow every year.
“I think for me right now because she’s 11, seeing the kids getting involved really warms my heart - seeing her friends and teammates getting involved, them coming out and selling,” said Hopkins.
“We had kids biking here in the pouring rain just to be here.”
Organizers hope this soggy version of Abbey-Palooza can meet or beat last years fundraising total of $6,000.
Hopkins says the final totals will likely be announced in the next three weeks.
