Celebrate Yorktown Committee Offering Chance To Win Handmade Bench for $10 Donation

YORK- A $10 donation to the Celebrate Yorktown Committee (CYC) lends the chance to win a colorful handmade bench crafted by Mark Carter. The bench has been located in the Gallery at York Hall in Historic Yorktown and is in need of a new home.

Carter, who retired as deputy county administrator with York County in May 2018 after a career of more than 40 years with the county, has enjoyed woodworking as a hobby for most of his adult life. He donated one of his benches to the CYC a few years ago in an effort to raise money for the nonprofit.

“I offered a bench to Bill Cole [president of the CYC] at no cost a few years ago, thinking the committee might want to sell it at one of the annual plant sales that the Celebrate Yorktown Committee holds,” said Carter. “They ended up raffling it off as a fundraiser.”

The mission of the Celebrate Yorktown Committee is to organize, conduct, and promote events and celebrations in Historic Yorktown and educate the public on Yorktown’s history, traditions, and heritage.

“The Celebrate Yorktown Committee is a nonprofit that helps support other local nonprofits like the Fife and Drums of Yorktown and bringing the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Concert to Yorktown through community grants,” said Amy Demetry, chair of the CYC and owner of Marl Inn Bed & Breakfast in Historic Yorktown.

Carter’s bench caught the eye of Celeste Gucanac, co-owner of Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters and Petite Cafe, a popular coffee roasting company and eatery located on Main Street in the heart of Historic Yorktown.

“We saw one being auctioned off at a Celebrate Yorktown event and approached him to make benches we could purchase for Mobjack,” said Gucanac. “Instead of payment, the money is given as a donation to Celebrate Yorktown. It was a win-win-win for all.”

Gucanac said she and her husband Jo were inspired by the idea of having benches located near the front door of their cafe that were made locally.

“Our ‘Mark Carter benches’ are a very popular spot for family, wedding, engagement, graduation, and prom photos,” said Gucanac. “Not only were we thrilled to give back to the Celebrate Yorktown Committee, but it makes us happy that the community enjoys them, as well as our guests.”