Feel Good Fair a success

Members of the Seastedt family pose with TRC staff.  Pictured from left are, from row, Erik Seastedt, Jonathan Seastedt and Kris Seastedt; and, back row, Kim Scoma, Rehabilitation Services Supervisor; Nancy Ingram, Assistant Executive Director for Service Operations; Amy Drozdziel, Assistant Director for Rehabilitation and Employment Services; Jane Young, Rehabilitation Services Site Supervisor.

The weather was miserable October 15, but inside TRC’s Conference Center, the atmosphere was warm and festive for the inaugural Feel Good Fair.

The event, which was a fund-raiser for TRC’s “Dream On” – Kathy Seastedt Community Support Fund.  It included more than a dozen vendors who featured a variety of ways to make one feel good.  There were registered mediums and psychics; chair massages; feather hear extensions; jewelry; knitted handbags and mittens; wine charms; and beauty products, among others.

Kathy was a 25-year TRC employee when she died unexpectedly in 2008.  The Community Support Fund was named in her honor, and each year it assists more than 100 people with disabling conditions living in the community.

The idea for the Feel Good Fair came from Kris Seastedt.  Kris, the Supervisor of TRC’s Day Habilitation Program on Fluvanna Avenue in Jamestown, is the stepsister of Kathy and wanted to do something to provide financial support for the Dream On Fund.

Amy Drozdziel, Assistant Director for Rehabilitation and Employment Services, receives a feather hair extension.

The event was a success, raising $1,392.  Each vendor was asked to contribute an item for a Chinese auction, and that raised $233.  Another $204 was raised through a sale of baked goods made and donated by TRC staff.  And one of the vendors, Martha Hughes, donated her profits to the Dream On Fund.

Attendance was light but steady throughout the day.  The weather probably contributed to the light attendance, as the day was rainy, windy and unseasonably cold.  However, mist vendors said they were pleased with the number of people in attendance and expressed interest in participating in the Feel Good Fair next year.

For her part, Kris was happy with how the day went.  Kathy’s husband, Erik (also a former TRC employee) and son Jonathan attended the event, and they were able to catch up with old acquaintances.

“A big `Thank You’ to all who participated and came to our Feel Good Fair,” Kris said.  “It was a great success for our first time out!  My sincerest gratitude to all who helped support Kathy's fund.  Our entire family is so very grateful to everyone who is helping to keep `Dream On’ thriving!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Click here to read about the efforts of the Flying Flamingos to raise money for the Kathy Seastedt Fund.