News Photo by Julie Goldberg Pied Piper School students Murphy Drury and Lucas Gawne show crafts that they and other students made for the school’s annual holiday sale.

ALPENA — People searching for the perfect Christmas gift might find it at Pied Piper School’s annual Holiday Greenhouse Sale.

The sale, which begins Friday and runs through Dec. 13, raises money for the school. Teacher Janis Sahr said the money is used for field trips, school supplies, and other general needs for the school.

The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on days when school is in session. On sale are poinsettias, wreaths, crafts, gift tags, and cards.

“The students have been working hard decorating the wreaths, taking care of the poinsettias, and they’ve been making crafts for several months now,” Sahr said. “It’s driven by the students.”

Sahr said the event is a total team effort. The students help staff decide what crafts to make at the beginning of the school year and then the staff helps the students make them.

Based on a student’s ability, they complete what they can with the crafts.

“Some students are able to paint, so they paint,” Sahr said. “Some students are able to glue, use a hammer and nails, so, whatever they can do, we have them do, and it comes out as a really nice finished product.”

Student Lucas Gawne said students learn how to count money and socialize with other people.

“It also teaches us, when we’re making the projects, how to work together,” Gawne said.

Student Murphy Drury said hosting the holiday sale helps the students learn business skills.

Customers will get a good experience, Sahr said, because the students will assist them with their purchase. She said the students will recommend items for customers because they’re proud of the work they did.

“They’re going to get a real good experience,” Sahr said. “You’re not coming because our costs are low, you’re coming because you’re supporting a cause and you’re going to get really good customer service.”

The sale will be held in the school’s greenhouse. Sahr said the the greenhouse teaches students job skills.

“They’re working on following directions,” she said. “They have a schedule that they follow of who’s working what shift. They’re learning how to use tools. During the sale, they’re learning how to use a cash register, count money, and work with members of the community.”

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.

If you go

∫ WHAT: Pied Piper School Holiday Greenhouse Sale

∫ WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday through Dec. 13 on days when school is in session.

∫ WHERE: Pied Piper School, 444 Wilson St., Alpena

∫ INFO: For more information, contact Pied Piper at 989-356-1414.