Barbecue and art booth fees benefit service provider

On Sunday, May 25, B & C Christ Farms, 2241 Peter Smith Road, Kendall, will sponsor a day of events that will benefit Mercy Flight. Courtesy of the local farm market, various aspects of the day of activities will help keep Mercy Flight in the air aiding accident victims throughout western New York. The emergency-gear equipped helicopter may also be on site.

This year, sales of Calendulas (pot marigolds) on May 25 will profit the Mercy Flight organization. At a similar event last year at which violas were featured, $2,700 was raised for the emergency service.

Calendulas, in their bright orange and yellow hues, are favorites with herbalists. They are easy to grown and add splashes of brightness to summer gardens.

There'll be other ways to donate, too. Proceeds from a Chicken Barbecue prepared by the Eastern Battalion Fire Departments of Orleans County -- great food with all the trimmings -- will also be donated to Mercy Flight. Pre-sale tickets, sure to go fast, are available at B & C Christ Farms.

Vendor space is available for the event. See contact numbers below.

Cindy Christ said Mercy Flight was chosen for several reasons, especially though since agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in regards to the number of accidents that occur in that career. At one time, funding for the emergency helicopter transportation service was in jeopardy and Cindy Christ said should there be a need for such a service, they wanted to help make sure it would be available to them and others. In addition, Christ family members work in related fields of emergency service -- Clay is a volunteer fireman and Beth is a nurse, "so it all seemed to tie together," Cindy Christ said.

Festivities begin at 11 a.m.; the barbecue starts at noon. There'll be arts and crafts and the booth fees will be donated to Mercy Flight.

To get to B & C Christ Farms travel west on Route 104 or Route 18 to Peter Smith Road in Kendall - then follow the signs. For information call 659-2900, 638-8101.