Sixteen-year-old Mae Harrington manned a table covered with used books at St. Julie Billiart Parish’s annual Septemberfest celebration on September 25. She was one of more than 50 young volunteers helping to run the church’s largest fundraiser of the year.

For Harrington, the most rewarding part about helping out is seeing her friends and fellow parishioners come together to put on the event, which includes kids’ carnival games, a bake sale, an auction, and crafters.

Harrington said she started attending the festival at three years old, and has been a longtime volunteer.

“It’s cool to see how this event forms. It’s about how everyone does their little piece,” Harrington said. “Everyone is really proud when it comes together.”

Harrington comes from a family of enthusiastic volunteers. Her mother, Sue Harrington, is the event chair.

Sue Harrington said the event has been running in some form for about 20 years.

“It’s not about the fundraising. It’s about the community,” she said.

Each year, something new is added. This year, the Harringtons helped bring Del’s Lemonade and a food truck to the festival.

Funds raised during the festival go towards supporting the church’s youth and adult programs, music and social justice programs, and outreach activities, but the Harringtons noted that fundraising is not the main goal of the event.