Now in its fourth year, a craft fair at Dartmouth High attracted 135 vendors and more than 1,100 guests on October 23.

The fair was hosted by the Special Education Parent Advisory Council — a group that law mandates every district have to advise the school committee on the needs of special education students, said Kathleen Amaral, the organization's co-chair.

Amaral— the mother of three Dartmouth students, one being special needs — said SEPAC allows parents to not only provide resources to the community, but also to give back for all the district does.

"To always be collaborating and giving back to the school is important to me because they accommodate so many of his needs," said Amaral about her sixth grader, Liam.

SEPAC's goal was to raise $2,000 by charging $35 per table for each vendor, and by hosting a raffle. The money will go towards installing $500 buddy benches in each of the four elementary schools, said Amaral.

The buddy bench, explained Amaral, coincides with a curriculum. Students use it as a meeting place to find their friends, or they know to include anyone sitting at the bench by themselves.

"They're specifically meant to engage kids and ultimately build friendships," said Amaral.

Amaral said leftover funds will go toward the Special Olympics program, and to fund grants for teachers, similar to ones provided by the Parent-Teacher Organization.

The event has attracted measurable community support. Last year, Amaral counted about 500 visitors to the event, and its first year, only 40 vendors. Town officials made an appearance as well, including Select Board Chair Stanley Mickelson, who stopped by to say hello, and for the first time, Veterans Services had a table.

Board of Health Director Chris Michaud manned a table as well, taking the opportunity to pass out home sharps containers — free containers provided by the town that people can use to safely store needles, and then return the full container back to the town free of charge. Michaud applauded event organizers' efforts to mesh craft tables and information tables, saying that the strategy helps make the information more available.

"It's been a steady flow of people all day," he commented. "It's not just a Dartmouth event," he added. The craft fair was held in the high school gymnasium, but attracted people from Westport, New Bedford, Fall River, and Suffolk County, said Michaud.

Town Youth Advocate Jen Cabral hosted "In Plain Sight," a mock bedroom that demonstrates to parents possible hiding spots for drugs and alcohol. She said sunscreen bottles and hair brushes with secret compartments help kids hide addictive behaviors.

"It brings awareness to parents that they could have a child that is misusing substances," she said. "We're trying to get parents to take that extra step to look into it."

Occupational therapist Kathleen DeCampos also had a station to introduce visitors to therapy dogs. Sophie, Summer, and Tooshy lazed around for the five-hour event while visitors stopped by to pet them and learn about how they can be introduced to the school system.