ALS nonprofit holding arts and crafts fair this weekend

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CULLMAN – Nonprofit group Fishing 4 a Cure 4 ALS is doing something new. In addition to its annual bass tournament, which is held in the fall, a vendor arts and crafts fair is happening this Saturday, July 29, from 5-9 p.m. at the Cullman Festhalle.

The new event, organized by Megan Harris, is free to attend.

“It is all for the community!” Harris emphasized.

This is the first year for the craft fair, but the group’s fishing tournament has been around since 2014.

“Since it is our first (craft fair), we are starting small,” Harris said. “We plan for this event to grow each year. I would love to be able to fill up Depot Park with vendors one day!”

The annual Fishing 4 a Cure 4 ALS bass tournament is the primary event the organization has used to raise donations for the Alabama Chapter of the ALS Association, Harris explained.

“While raising money is important to our organization, bringing awareness is also part of our mission,” said Harris. “This vendor and craft fair allows us to reach another demographic in our community.”

As to why she thinks members of the local community should come out and support the cause, Harris’ answer was simple: it will be fun and connect Cullman with a worthy cause.

“We will have free entertainment by the Coleman Brothers, several different vendors, and local crafters,” Harris said. “This event gives us the opportunity to get involved with our community and show them what Fishing 4 a Cure 4 ALS is all about.”

As of press time, the confirmed vendors are: Strength by Design, LuLaRoe, JewelScent, Perfectly Posh, Housewife Handcrafted, LipSense, Plunder, Mary Kay, adornable.u, Scentsy, doTERRA, Turquoise Cotton Boutique, Cullman Mental Health, and Magic of Mickey, as well as several local crafters.

According to its Facebook page, “Fishing 4 a Cure 4 ALS, LLC is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds to find a cure for ALS and support those families affected by this disease.

“We formed this group in honor of Danny Harris, our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who is currently battling this disease.”

Says the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare group of neurological diseases that mainly involve the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. Voluntary muscles produce movements like chewing, walking, breathing and talking. The disease is progressive, meaning the symptoms get worse over time. Currently, there is no cure for ALS and no effective treatment to halt, or reverse, the progression of the disease.”

ALS is also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.

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