PLATTSBURGH — The annual St. Peter's Bazaar mixes fun with a seriousness of purpose.

This year's gathering involved the same attractions that area residents look forward to every year, such as the big book sale, the dime toss, the bake sale and the fried dough that lures passersby with its sweet smell.

Likewise, the profits from the bazaar will benefit many of the same parish activities, as in past years.

FAMILY EFFORT
It takes a lot of volunteer help to pull off the event.

Mary Fournier, who was born and raised in Harkness, was staffing the dime-toss booth, where patrons can exchange a dollar for a dozen chances at winning dishes, vases and other glassware.

"I think it's good to give back and not be taking all the time," said Fournier, a St. Peter's parishioner. "So many people are in need of help. You help them (by volunteering), but it helps you, too."

Fournier's three sisters also volunteer yearly with the bazaar, a community-service effort she says has given back to her by allowing her and her siblings to bond and maintain family connections.

TOGETHERNESS
Although many volunteers represented St. Peter's Church, other organizations also boosted their own missions by participating.

Stephen Patrick was busy Sunday selling lottery tickets with his fellow Knights of Columbus members.

"Every year, we raise about $20,000 that goes to different charities and families in need," said Patrick, a fourth-degree member of K of C Council 225 in Plattsburgh.

As part of his involvement with the Knights, Patrick has promoted causes that range from supporting local Boy Scout Troops to assisting the Adirondack Humane Society.

He says he has benefited as much from his community service as anyone, as the Knights have paid for his daughter, Kristin, to attend Camp Guggenheim in Saranac Lake for several years.

He said events like St. Peter's Bazaar "bring communities together. A lot of big towns don't have events that create a sense of community, which is the most important thing."

SPREADING HOPE
Meghan Ryan, who graduated the day before from Plattsburgh High School, was selling raffle tickets at the bazaar to support the North Country Mission of Hope's Children Feeding Children initiative, which raises money for school-age kids in Nicaragua to have a nourishing lunchtime meal during the school day.

"Personally having seen poverty, it's great to know they are actually going to get a meal," said Ryan, who has been on the mission trip. "Here you don't just have people throwing money, but they're becoming more aware. A lot of people think, 'Oh, it's just a dollar,' but it only takes 25 cents to feed a child."

GIVING THEIR WAY
Even the band that played at this year's bazaar got in on the giving. The Back Porch Band kept only 15 percent of profits; the rest was donated to Hospice of the North Country.

Others find equally creative ways to help.

Bennett Cyphers, 14, of Plattsburgh, for example, who volunteered to be in the dunking booth at this year's bazaar, allowed himself to be dropped into a pool of cold water by customers with good aim.

Five-year-old Jack Kudrle was one of the people who took aim with a softball and was successful in his attempt to dunk Cyphers.

"It's great to have lunch as a family and let the kids play games," said Suzanne Kudrle, Jack's grandmother.