ARLINGTON — The Arlington High School commons hosted the first in what event organizers hope could become an annual series of “Holiday Shoppe” fundraisers for the AHS Art Club on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Those who stopped by the school commons that day were able to jumpstart their holiday shopping and support local businesses at the same time, with vendors that included Avon, Cookie Lee and more.

While Valerie Bolin of the Pampered Chef offered samples of dips to Stacey Webb — who came from the Arlington Garden Club’s second annual Holiday Garden Art and Crafts Show at the Gleaneagle Golf Course Country Club, just down the hill from the high school — Tracy Borreson made sure the handmade decorations of Matilda Jane Creations were hung with care from their wire-frame Christmas tree.

While the final totals had yet to be determined as of press time, AHS Art Club Treasurer Breanne Johnston estimated that the day’s 18 vendors yielded approximately $200 for the student group.

“We’ve already earmarked that money for assisted living painting instruction,” said Johnston, who explained that eight AHS Art Club students will become teachers on Saturday, Nov. 30, when they teach residents of elder care and nursing homes how to paint with watercolors. “This will be my first experience teaching someone else, but I’ve always wanted to be an art teacher. When I joined the Art Club, I got to hang out with creative people, but it’s also made my art skills better.”

As she and her peers served up fresh-baked donut-holes to Holiday Shoppe attendees, Johnston acknowledged that the Art Club has become more community service oriented as well.