Video: ‘Celebration Village’ Vendor Inspires Others With Her Spirit, and Sweet Goodies

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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) –  Vendors from across the southeast are selling their goods at the annual
“Celebration Village” in Tupelo.

The annual fundraiser for Sanctuary Hospice allows shoppers to tackle their
Christmas lists, while helping a great cause.

As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports, it also allows one Alabama vendor to expand
her business and inspire others.

As hundreds of people were getting a start on their Christmas shopping,
vendors at Celebration Village were making sure their merchandise was
stocked and ready.

At booth 156, Katie Jackson was telling potential customers about her sweet
product line.

The 50 year old Mobile Alabama resident bakes all of the sweet treats
herself. She’s has been doing that ever since an eye disease made her
legally blind.

“I can still see shapes and objects and so forth like that, we just get in
the kitchen and make it do what it do,” Jackson said.

Jackson is owner of “Katie’s Cookies and Candies.” She uses her
grandmother’s recipes, enlisting family to help seal and package the
goodies.

And at events like “Celebration Village” her mom helps out.

“The great thing of all, people remember us, they say, oh I remember Katie,” said her mother, Carolyn Smith.

Many shoppers don’t even realize Katie is legally blind.

“I didn’t know you was not able to see, we just thought you was here being
real cool and fly at your booth,” she said.

Customers say the cookies and candies are some of the best they’ve tasted,
and they are inspired by Katie’s story and her spirit.

“God gave her the way to do something and she took advantage of it,” said Customer Lillian Roberts.

For Katie Jackson, running her own business gives her a sense of purpose,
and it helps put her youngest daughter through college.

“Just because you have something that comes up in your life, don’t just take
it laying down, keep pushing, keep striving and just stay positive and keep
going forward,” Jackson said.

Katie will be at Celebration Village through Saturday. For more information on “Katie’s Cookies and Candies” you can email her at tjacks251@gmail.com, or call 251 447 6626.