Ten Thousand Villages

Et Cetera Shop

Book Reviews

50th anniversary celebration of Et Cetera Inc. Facebook Link

In 1946 pioneering Mennonite businesswoman Edna Ruth Byler met women in the La Plata Valley who were struggling to feed their children. She began selling the beautiful needlework they made to friends in the US, sending the profits back to the sewing group in Puerto Rico. In 1962 her project was adopted by the MCC as the Overseas Needlework and Crafts Project. Led by visionary Lois Kreider, members of Bluffton First Mennonite opened the first Fair Trade storefront in the country in 1974, and called it Self Help Crafts. They began a thrift store called Etcetera to raise money to buy the inventory. It was renamed Ten Thousand Villages in 1996 and now sells products from 30 countries worldwide, empowering workers to raise their standard of living, feed their families, and pursue an education. In 2024 we will celebrate 50 years of Etcetera, Inc. with events throughout the year.

UPCOMING EVENTS


MCC COMFORTER BASH

Saturday, October 19, 2024, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Arthur-Lugibihl Community Center 301 N. Jefferson St, Pandora, OH

 

Help knot 50 comforters, one for each year of Et Cetera, Inc. Join the fun and fellowship of working together to bring the comfort of a warm blanket to those in need around the world. Snacks and a light lunch will be served. Come when you can, and stay as long as you’re able.

REDO, RENEW, REPURPOSE

Saturday, December 14, 2024, 2p.m. – 4 p.m.
Bluffton Family YMCA

 

Come and enjoy refreshments as you discover the creative talents of local artisans who creatively Redo, Renew and Repurpose.

Do you repurpose, redesign, and recycle items? Do you imagine a new use for an item that otherwise might be discarded? If so, we invite you to participate in this event by displaying and/or selling your creations. Each participant must provide their own table (6-foot maximum) and manage their own sales. For questions and to register, email joyce.schumacher@hotmail.com, with “Repurpose” in the subject line.


Printable Calendar of events for 50th Anniversary Celebration