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Local Voices

Local Goods School Fundraising Catalog Arrives in Connecticut: Putting a Local Twist on the Fall School Fundraiser

Portland, Maine mom and graphic designer Masey Kaplan had enough of supporting her kids school fundraisers by buying cheap wrapping paper, unhealthy candy bars and frozen made in who knows where cookie dough. 

Kaplan took action and created New England Close Buy Catalog, a local goods school fundraising catalog that saw annual sales in the company’s third year of business hit nearly $500,000 – all from her basement home office.

Local Connecticut vendors slated to be featured in the 2014 catalog include The Sno Company, Droll Yankees, Hartford Denim Company, Mystic Knotworks, Solude Coffee and Uncle Bill’s Silver Gripper.

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New England vendors and artisans range from the nationally known - think Stonewall Kitchen blueberry jam and pancake mix, Lake Champlain chocolates and Dancing Deer Baking Company cookies – to the lesser known artists Kaplan finds in every nook and cranny of New England – enter Eco Kids art supplies, Erin Flett tea towels and Leap Organics body wash.

Conceived during the economic downturn, Kaplan determined her business model was a great single solution to put everyone in the win column.  Vendors make money and get exposure and the local economy gets a boost.  Schools raise equal if not more money using Close Buy Catalog.

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And what about the kids?  They learn the importance of not supporting sweat shop labor, buying local, and responsible business practices.   Kids also like that their neighbors look forward to that knock on the door instead of dreading it. 

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Close Buy Contact: 

Demetra Giatas, 207-332-2421, demetra@closebuycatalog.com

closebuycatalog.com

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