Laura Perrotta, a Hudson vendor at the event is a visual artist and photographer whose pet portraits, wedding photography and line of creative wall art and cards are always in demand. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

HUDSON – Purrfect Thrift is a pet-friendly thrift shop, located at 30 Lowell Road, whose owner, Lourdes Masciari, recently hosted a Christmas in July yard sale at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5791 in Hudson.

“Various Purrfect Thrift Community Outreach events and initiatives have contributed approximately $3,255.59 toward supporting local organizations and community programs, including Happy Tails Pet Rescue in Hudson, the Wilbur H. Palmer Career & Technical Education Center Veterinary Science Program at Alvirne High School in Hudson, and the Hudson Food Pantry Back-to-School Backpack Program,” said Masciari.

The indoor and outdoor yard sale of July 19 at the VFW was designed by Lourdes, as she is universally known. Lourdes, a Nashua resident, said the event was named as a Christmas in July gathering to recreate the excitement of holiday bargain hunting in the middle of summer.

“These events are as much about bringing people together as they are about giving local vendors a place to showcase their businesses,” Lourdes said.

Purrfect Thrift is a frequent stop for bargains in clothing, shoes, home decor, art supplies, books, kitchen tools and housewares, along with the pet supplies, cat toys and doggie coats. A stylish hand-crocheted red dress and some colorful crocheted hanging baskets dangling flowers rendered in yarn are on sale, crafted by “Daisy,” a friend of Lourdes.

Christmas in July supporters from Hudson include young Elliotte Davis, left, her grandfather, Gary Davis, a Vietnam veteran of the Army, and her father, Zachary Davis, right, an Army veteran whose family on July 19 showed their support for local crafters at the VFW event. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Happy Tails Pet Rescue, a nonprofit, is operated in Hudson, Plaistow and Lowell, Mass. Volunteers nurture abandoned, surrendered, or rescued cats, some facing euthanasia here or out-of-state. A no-kill policy underscores their motto, “Happiness is a forever home.” (happytailspetrescue.org)

Shoppers at Christmas in July at the VFW patronized vendors who offered items or services from home, or their workshops, or their businesses. For example, it featured photography services from Laura Perrotta, a Hudson visual artist whose portraits of beloved pets are among frequently requested commissions.

In addition, sales were steady for local craftsmen whose indoor vendor booths or outdoor tables were filled with handmades, florals, books, jewelry and hand-me-downs.

Tiffany Scott, a Nashua resident, offered “Lushes Leaves by Lulu,” her collection of dozens of mostly miniature potted plants and colorful garden accessories. Cuttings that take weeks to mature were cherished by buyers with green thumbs.

Suncatchers of sparkling dangles of crystals and wire-wrapped jewelry handmade by Jill Morrow, owner of Jillery Jewelry in Chelmsford, Mass., were constructed mostly of intricate patterns of wire strung with sparkling beads, crystals and baubles.

Patti Finney, a crafter from Goffstown brought for sale at Christmas in July an impressive selection of her whimsical yard critters, poured from liquid concrete into molds and painted by hand at her studio, Finney's Craft Cave, an Etsy sales favorite. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Patti Finney, a Goffstown resident brought outdoor tables filled with whimsical sculptures she terms “yard critters” that are solid cement statues hand painted upon unmolding and drying with vibrant colors replicating teddy bears, frogs, bumble bees, and other favorites.

Among the stars of the Christmas in July event was a happy black female foster dog, “Calypso,” a young heeler mix who is available for adoption. Inquire through Purrfect Thrift.

Pretty, young “Calypso” was on the kill list at an animal shelter in Texas. She was saved from euthanasia by rescuers from Catahoula Rescue of New England, said her foster family.

The friendly canine, judged to be perhaps 3- to 5-years old, is living in her foster home and is well loved by Kimberly and Gio Mannino, residents of Merrimack, and their daughter Tallulah, 18-months old.

Lourdes commended everyone who participated in Christmas in July, including Mel Gannon, VFW Facilities Manager and respected representative of VFW Post 5791 Commander Chuck Chapman.

Jill Morrow, a Christmas in July vendor of crystal suncatchers and wire-wrapped jewelry through Jillery Jewelry in Chelmsford, Mass., specializes in handmade gifts sold on Etsy and elsewhere. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

“We anticipate hosting another fundraiser at the VFW on Sept. 20 and hope everyone will come — and bring their friends,” Lourdes added.

More information on Purrfect Thrift and store hours in Hudson can be had online at purrfectthrift.com.

Purrfect Thrift owner Lourdes Masciari, whose Hudson thrift shop, 30 Lowell Road, has raised approximately $3,255.59 in financial support for Happy Tails Pet Rescue in Hudson, the Wilbur H. Palmer Career & Technical Education Center Veterinary Science Program at Alvirne High School in Hudson, and the Hudson Food Pantry Back-to-School Backpack Program, displays an incoming donation of a child-sized chair that surely may serve as an affordable gift. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

A star of the recent Christmas in July event is "Calypso," a loving foster dog who has found rescue from euthanasia in Texas with the Mannino Family of Nashua — Kimberly and Gio, plus their daughter Tallulah. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Tiffany Smith, the Nashua owner of Lushes Leaves by Lulu, displays dozens of popular garden plants and garden accessories displayed at the Christmas in July event on July 19. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Volunteers and Purrfect Thrift owner Lourdes, center right, prepare to meet dozens of vendors and hundreds of shoppers at a recent Christmas in July community yard sale at the Hudson VFW. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON