San Lorenzo Church raises funds with kermes

CLINT, Texas (KVIA) - San Lorenzo Catholic Church continued its annual kermes Saturday. Celebrations raised funds for church activities through community support and local vendors.

One volunteer, Alexis Reyes, told ABC-7 the kermes puts a spotlight on the Clint community.

"It really brings more people to San Lorenzo. People come and they see how beautiful the church is and how kind the people are and then be like 'I think I want to come to this church more often," Reyes said.

That community spotlight Reyes pointed out extends to the people not working as staff for the day.

Greg Velez said it's a time to reconnect with friends he hasn't seen for a while, which is why he likes coming back for the event after growing up in Clint himself.

"I really like it, it brings the community together," Velez said. "Sometimes you get friends that move out of town, and we all come back here and eventually we meet up once again."

The kermes also opens space for small family businesses to grow. Deleyna Nerí, who helps run her family's business, Dulcería Neri, said bringing sweets to the kermes visitors has been a huge opportunity.

"We barely started coming to this kermez last year, and honestly has been I feel like one of the best things we could have done because it has opened so many doors," Neri said.