Women’s club holds Pfennig Bazaar March 2 to 4

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The Pfennig Bazaar offers many stands and tables with a variety of merchandise March 2 to 4 in the event hall of the Kaiserslautern Gartenschau. — Photo by Petra Lessoing

The German-American and International Women’s Club Kaiserslautern will sponsor its annual Pfennig Bazaar March 2 to 4 in the event hall of the Kaiserslautern Gartenschau.

The Pfennig Bazaar is known as the biggest flea market in the West Palatinate. Its name originates in the former German currency, which was Deutsch Mark and Pfennigs, today Euro and cents.

This bazaar is the club’s biggest fundraising event. All proceeds will be donated to various German, American and international charities, the Federation of German-American Clubs in Germany and student exchange programs.

“Last year we donated a total amount of about €25,000 to USO, the Airmen’s Attic, scout groups and the German-American student exchange,” said Christine Schneider, German club president.

The German-American Women’s Club was established in 1956. Meanwhile, other nationalities are included, and the name carries the word international as well.

“Our goal is to promote tolerance within cultures and international understanding, and foster friendship between German, American and other communities,” Schneider said.

“We offer a variety of interest groups, to include literature, international cooking, reading lessons, handicrafts and traveling, and we organize evening events, concerts, trips and monthly get-togethers.”

Club members also get involved in community activities. They take care of the kindergraves at Kaiserslautern’s main cemetery and support the Fisher House at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

For the Pfennig Bazaar, the club still needs donations, to include clothes for men, women, children, household goods, books, toys, electrical appliances and paintings. Bulky items such as furniture, mattresses, skis and suitcases as well as shoes, underwear, curtains and 110V electrical items will not be accepted.

Donations can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the flower hall of the Gartenschau Kaiserslautern.

“We hope many customers will find their way to the Pfennig Bazaar to get good bargains. That way, we’ll be able to donate again to many organizations, just like in recent years,” Schneider said.

The Pfennig Bazaar is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 2, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 3 and 4.

For more information on the Pfennig Bazaar, call the club’s president at 0160-99327090 or visit www.gaiwc.com.
NOTE: American non-profit making groups that like to get considered for a monetary donation from this year’s profits should contact Schneider at president@gaiwc.com.