For the students at Jefferson County Middle School, the holidays come with more than just the usual excitement. This December, the Buff Bazaar returned for its third year, offering students a chance to spread holiday cheer while practicing life skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom walls.
The Buff Bazaar is a treasure trove of donated items from staff, their families, and community businesses, where students can purchase gifts for their loved ones with the school’s currency, Buff Bucks. These are earned through acts of good citizenship. When students demonstrate the school’s core values of being safe, respectful, and responsible, they’re rewarded with Buff Bucks. It’s a system that turns positive behavior into real rewards
“I think the store is pretty cool and I know a lot of schools don’t really do it, 7th Grade Student Corbin Searcy said. “I think it’s really cool our school does it and that they put it on for us kids.”
This year, NewsChannel 21 and Mid Oregon Credit Union are giving JCMS $1,000 to support the store. The money is for their ‘One Class at a Time’ series where they help education one class at a time. The money will go towards buying gifts for the store next year.
“We’re so grateful for this unexpected donation from KTVZ and Mid-Oregon Credit Union,” Special Education Teacher Danira Perez said. “This funding will be huge in assisting us making the store even better in 2025 by purchasing a variety of more items for the students. We strive to give them as many options as we can.”
The Buff Bazaar isn’t new, but it was put on pause during the pandemic. It returned in 2022 and it teaches valuable lessons about budgeting, decision-making, and the joy of generosity by allowing students to purchase gifts for their loved ones for the holiday season.
“I’m excited to go into the store and look around and get stuff for my family,” said 6th Grade Student Landon Richesin.
Danira Perez doing an interview with KTVZ about the Buff Bazaar Store
Landon Richesin looking at an item in the store
“I think I’m going to get some stuff for my mom, my little sister, and a couple things for my dad as well,” Searcy said.
Donations pour in leading up to the store opening after Thanksgiving Break. The items available can range from trinkets and toys to practical items like vases and mugs. Some businesses and organizations donate big raffle prizes that students have an opportunity to win by entering their Buff Bucks. One example of a raffle prize this year is a 30 minute helicopter ride with the Learning Edge Flight Academy in Bend. Each contribution plays a part in creating the magical experience of the Buff Bazaar.
The store also gives leadership students an opportunity to serve by setting up the store and helping run it. Emma Lingscheit is in 8th grade this year and this is her first year helping out. She helped set it up after school and helped check students out and put their gifts into bags.
“I think it is a pretty good opportunity for students to get things for their family members if they don’t have that opportunity at home,” she said. “I think the raffle prizes this year are pretty good. Also, I think the selection this year is a lot better than last year. I think it looks a lot more like a store this year.”
Perez runs the store with Taytum Stevens, who teaches leadership and social studies at JCMS. They work on gathering donations from staff, families and the community.
The goal is to make the store better and better every year. That’s possible thanks to the many businesses and staff members that donate items for the store.
“We’d like to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who has contributed to making our Buff Bazaar such a special and meaningful event for our students and our community,” Perez said. “Your contributions have truly made this event something special. Today, we want to specifically thank the businesses and individuals who have stepped up to help us in such meaningful ways.”
Taytum Stevens showing one of the items to 7th Grade Student Ellie Adams
The following list of businesses helped make the store possible:
Indian Head Casino
Bend Learning Express
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Timbers
Chavez Market
La Favorita
Colima Market
Leading Edge Flight Academy
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
Madras Aquatic Center
Jefferson County Scholarship Committee
Events by Nelly Peñaloza for the decoration
Our wonderful staff
“We couldn’t have done it without all of you. Your kindness and generosity make a world of difference to our students, and it is this spirit of community and support that truly brings the Buff Bazaar to life,” Perez said. “On behalf of our students and staff, thank you again for your contributions. Your support not only helps our students experience the joy of giving, but it also teaches them the power of community and the importance of helping others.”
JCMS looks forward to continuing this tradition of giving for many years to come.