The Merry Merchant

02/12/2026

We will have a new product available at Medieval Mayhem Renaissance Faire this year. Any clue what these will be? Here's a hint, its not a game. 😊

02/12/2026

We can't wait for another year of Mayhem!

Looking for local vendors, volunteers, and sponsors! More info at azmayhem.com.

11/23/2024

Some of the items up for auction this year will be an annual pass to the Desert Botanical Garden, a front-end alignment from Arizona Suspension Specialist, and a $500 gift certificate from Black Bar Tattoo Studio. And don't forget to get your raffle ticket to win our special raffle item. This item is open to everyone regardless of attendance so get your ticket online before they run out.

Get your tickets at https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=14215&fbclid=IwY2xjawGsZZRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfKWx6bwz8fdWUZMCBoZY_h_qj1JtCL2Ia0B8-wHzHkk-4RxCl-dFCksdg_aem_-oJNXKqTDdPGidImicgC1w

11/02/2024

Here is one of the amazing items being raffled off at our Dickens Dinner and Desert Auction. Get your raffle tickets now before they sell out. Only 100 tickets available, winner need not be present at the auction to win this prize.

Get your tickets at https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=14215&fbclid=IwY2xjawGTcilleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaa-zJRhH5WKclT9PQ-xPIw9c_W1y2-zxKEcAnHi5gEz2K7Kfs8Ts-5Y_Q_aem_48wZUIbUy_jjy_anUBONmQ

10/21/2024

Do you have a heart for Arizona Veterans and First Responders?

Consider donating an Auction Item, Raffle Item, Game Prize, or Unique Desert to the Dickens Dinner and Desert Auction and help make it a great success!

• Auction Items - Items worth $1,000 or more. These can be things like vacation packages, sports, music, or entertainment collectibles, cars, etc.
• Raffle and Game Prizes - Items worth $25 or more. These can be gift cards or items such as tools, electronics, passes to events or attractions - Phoenix Zoo, Aquarium, Sports events, Sports memorabilia, etc.
• Trivia prizes - 8 of the same things for the table winners.
• Desert Auction Deserts - Unique Cakes, Pastries, Pies, etc.

Remember all proceeds from this event go towards providing scholarships to veterans and first responders who have been disabled in the line of duty or the families of those lost in the line of duty. So, your donation will directly help Arizona hero's.

If you would like to donate an item or can put us in contact with someone who can, please contact any Mountain of Hope board member or email us at [email protected]

10/21/2024

Get your tickets for the Dickens Dinner & Dessert Auction Now! Live Entertainment, Dinner, Games, Prizes, Raffles, Auctions, and More

https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=14215&fbclid=IwY2xjawF_undleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHc4j1rhKKtclH7kMGk7aldQxKfpTnuNDD3_A18B2Fxknw5kmUGEXVYyCuA_aem_HLn9ryLh4m9CKfNCED8ZAg

Remember - All proceeds go towards the Mountain of Hope Foundation's scholarship programs for veterans and first responders disabled in the line of duty and the families of those fallen in the line of duty.

09/16/2024

Tragedy has struck Ghazaal Beledi's leaders, Jeremy and Sarah. Tha… Hayl Daugherty needs your support for Support Ghazaal Beledi's Jeremy and Sarah After Fire

09/11/2024

September 11th - We Will Always Remember
By: Crystal Kanaley

Everyone alive on September 11th, 2001, will remember that day for the rest of their lives. The official death toll of the terrorist attacks was 2,977 victims, 498 of which were first responders who lost their lives trying to save others. Their heroism will remain engraved in our memories and each year we honor these victims during ceremonies held in cities all over the United States.

While it is important for us to remember those who died, how many of us stop to remember the surviving first responders and volunteers who were injured or became ill after being exposed to toxic debris, dust, smoke, and fumes while trying to help people evacuate or pull them from the rubble? There are currently more than 30,000 rescue and recovery workers enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry program. This is a program that tracks the health of the people affected by the September 11th attacks and studies various related illnesses and cancers. Many of the first responders who worked on the rescue, recovery, and cleanup have had a severe impact on both their physical and mental health. They suffer from things like PTSD, Depression, Asthma, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Heart Disease, Stroke, and multiple types of Cancer. This is just a short list of the many illnesses attributed to the September 11th attacks. It's the heroes that have survived as well as their families that have had to live every day for the past 23 years with the ongoing effects of this tragedy. So, this September 11th, let us remember the survivors as well.

If you would like to learn more about the ongoing health battles of the survivors or the studies performed by the World Trade Center Health Registry Visit World Trade Center Health Registry - 9/11 Health (nyc.gov)

08/20/2024

Doing some research, help me out please!
Poll Question

If you were to purchase a raffle ticket for a revolver worth $400 how much would you expect the tickets to be? $5-$10, $20 -$30, $40 -$50?

Would it be different if it were for a charity?

08/07/2024

Did you know?
National Purple Heart Day is August 7th.

The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still presented today. It was originally called the Badge of Military Merit and was created by George Washington on August 7th, 1782, to honor the enlisted soldiers during the Revolutionary War that showed great merit. They were to wear a heart of purple cloth or silk edged with a narrow lace or binding over their left breast and those who were awarded this were to have their names listed in the "Book of Merit". This book has never been found so we do not know how many people actually received this first award. Only 3 people have been verified as recipients from the Revolutionary War: Sergeant Elijah Churchill, 2nd Continental Dragoons; Sergeant William Brown, 5th Connecticut Continental Line Infantry and Sergeant Daniel Bissel, 2nd Connecticut Continental Line Infantry. After the Revolutionary War this award was essentially forgotten about until General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing suggested the need for a merit award in 1918 towards the end of World War I. However, it would not be until May 28th, 1932, that 136 World War I veterans would be awarded the Purple Heart we know today. Since this time the criteria for being awarded the Purple Heart has changed a number of times and is now only awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded, killed, or have died after being wounded by enemy action while serving. It is estimated that 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since it's reintroduction in 1932.

Many times, these brave individuals who have been awarded the Purple Heart can no longer serve due to their injuries. These are some of the people our scholarships aim to help; Arizona Veterans, First Responders, and their Families. Those that have been injured in the line of duty and need vocational rehabilitation to continue to provide for their families. If you would like to help our hero's or just want to learn more about The Mountain of Hope Foundation visit our website at www.mountainofhopefoundation.org

08/07/2024

I thought you all might enjoy seeing how the historic Chinese game of Mahjong is made by hand. Don't expect to see this game from the Merry Merchant any time soon. This looks like a lot of work.