Benefit Rummage Sale Rocked!!

On Saturday, September 27, 2008, the first fundraiser was held. It was incredible! And on so many levels. We raised $5,0000!!! With very low overhead expenses and very cooperative weather, it was a win by a landslide.

Thank you again to everyone in the Spokane area who donated items or goods to be sold at the event. And thank you to all of you hardcore workers who organized, transported, set-up, supervised your item areas, negotiated every last penny at the pay table, sold goodies (including Krispy Kremes and Fresh Lemonade Stand), delivered large items to the buyer's home, and then, after a long day, helped load up the trucks with the left over items for the next day's yard sale and finish cleaning up the parking lot in time for the 5:00 pm Mass parishioners to arrive!

It was a lot of work in picking items donated, getting organized, and pricing. The night before, when numerous garages were full and also a few front yards, I was doubtful that in the wee hours of that next morning it would all come together seemlessly. But it did, ye of little faith!

So after all the work to produce that day's seven hour Benefit Rummage Sale, the Sale's Fearless Leader, Jenny Hinch, woke up on Sunday and held another seven hour yard sale at her home.

I want all of you to know that what was left-over after the second sale was very carefully sorted and specific types of items where donated to groups with specific item needs, such as linens to the animal shelter, business clothes to a battered women's shelter, and household goods to a local organization who helps families start up again after loosing their home to fire. I am proud that the goodness that inspired and fueled the sale continued until every item donated found a home.

I'm posting some pictures so you can see a little of what the day was like. It was held outdoors at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, where All Saints Secondary Campus is also located. We had great weather in the low 70's with no rain. Our local NBC station was out at 7:30 am with a live feed to interview the event's organizers and help get the word out about the sale.

I know that I will not be able to remember and recognize everyone who helped and most certainly deserves the recognition, but I must at least let my world know about some of the most awesome efforts put forth on my behalf.......

Everyone who cleaned out their homes and garages and donated items.

Everyone who made pick-up runs of items, easpecially Jenny Hinch and Keri Garr.

Everyone who stored items in their homes and garages, especially Jenny Hinch, Rhonda Ritchie, and Pam Becker.

Everyone who helped get the word out, got the event media attention, and told their organizations about the sale, especially Jenny Hinch, Belinda Jacobsen, Susan Brudnicki, and Teresa Morris.

Everyone who helped set up and sell the items, especially Rhonda Ritchie and Selena Winston.

Everyone who made goodies and sold goodies, especially Teresa Morris and Mason Morris, and Pam Becker. And a special thanks to Dan Kennedy on this one, for bringing his lemonade stand.

Everyone who organized areas and monitored them, especially Suzie, who was lent to us by Denise Fox.

The Church for letting us use their parking lots and electrical access.

The Knights at Gonzaga Prep for their strapping young men who helped move everything to the sale site at an unreasonably early hour for a teenager and their supervisor Mr. Olney.

Albertsons for donating the balloons.

Our neighbors, The Sauberans, for watching our children all day.

Brad Blackhart for doing dump runs with unsold/unuseable items.

Mark Lenz for the use of his business truck to transport items to the Church and then to Jenny's for the yard sale the next day.

Keri Garr for helping me throughout the day.

My husband and many others for just doing whatever they were asked to do!

A very special thanks to Jenny Hinch, Belinda Jacobsen, Rhonda Ritchie, and Teresa Morris for putting this event together. Their organization and determination left no room to fail!

To everyone who helped, to everyone who donated, and to everyone who bought.......

YOU ROCK!