Raleigh’s Place was attempting to start tradition with its Christmas Whistle-stop event, and may have done just that.

The event was a fundraiser to help the non-profit organization, which focuses on foster children.

Holiday gifts and crafts were sold by vendors, along with fudge and other sweet treats that were made by the foster children in the program.

One table was covered with handmade ornaments and tiles for sale that were painted during the organization’s annual summer camp for foster children.

Ornaments painted by foster children were on sale during the fundraising event. (Photo by Anthony Richards)

According to Raleigh’s Place co-founder Sharon King, making sure that the children are involved in the process in some way is very important.

“All the kids at camp made their own ornaments to take back [with them], and if they wanted to they could make extra ones to sell at the fundraiser,” King said.

The event lasted three days, and King was excited to hear from an additional vendor that wanted to join despite not being there on the first day.

That community interest is key to making sure that events, such as Christmas Whistle-stop continue to grow.

“I think we’ll be committed to it for at least three years to see how it goes,” King said. “It should be good, because we need more things that are community related.”

The event was made complete with an appearance from Santa Claus. He spent time interacting with the children, while also hearing what they had on their Christmas wish list.