The perfect gift may be closer than you think. Instead of going out of town to choose your holiday gifts, let the artisans bring items to you during the seventh annual Christmas in Our Hometown Craft Show.

The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Paul D. Camp Community College Regional Workforce Development Center, 100 N. College Drive in Franklin. Proceeds from vendor registration fees and raffles during this free event will benefit students in the Upward Bound program at the college. The program has recently begun a partnership with local crafter Shirley Billups, who has had successful shows in the past.
Upward Bound is a federally funded program focused on assisting low income and/or first-generation high school students in grades nine through 12 with successfully completing postsecondary education. Students receive assistance with tutoring, resources, support, college processes and the PDCCC Dual Enrollment program.

Additional funding from the indoor craft event will allow the program to provide even more significant experiences for the students.

“While academics is a priority, we like to ensure that our students are well-prepared in all aspects of college and life in general through activities, such as financial workshops, cultural experiences, college visits, summer component offerings and educational seminars,” said PDCCC Upward Bound Director Travis Parker.

Statistics show that the Upward Bound program has been effective in helping students succeed in their academic and career goals. Implemented in 2008, the program touts 65 current high school participants and another 60-plus participants currently enrolled full-time in college. There are eight participants currently enrolled in a master’s degree program and one in a doctoral program.

“Thirty-six participants have completed an associate degree, 25 have earned a bachelor’s degree, and three have attained a master’s degree — all in less than nine years of the program’s inception. That’s pretty significant.”

For more information about the PDCCC Upward Bound program, contact Barbara Strylowski at bstrylowski@pdc.edu or 569-6764. Vendors are needed. Those interested in registering for a 10-by-10 booth space may contact Billups at 620-5499.