First of all, I was blessed in having one of our most loyal and devoted supporters, the Anderson family, offer to organize this fundraiser for us. Since our very beginning, they have been willing volunteers, prayer warriors, and our biggest supporters. I am so encouraged by them!! I thought this was a wonderful idea and a way to help fund our annual events, but I was wondering where we would get enough things to sell to raise the money we need. Well, that answer is simple: from GOD, of course! Little did I know the plans He had for us! We had small bundles of clothing and items trickle in over the last several months and it slowly began to add up. I thought, "Okay, this is doable, this will help." But that wasn't ALL. Larger stashes of items began pouring in, including a couch, TV, DVD players, and more. Then, the day before the sale, some friends drove up with a huge truckload of things (including a bed!)--just that load alone would have made a fantastic sale! We ended up with so much stuff we didn't have enough tables to place everything! We had an abundance of goods, and all for the use of the ministry!
And, as if that were not enough, we had a few large monetary donations ON TOP OF the donation of goods. When all was said and done, our grand total from the yard sale was:
$790!!! What a BLESSING!!
We had 11 youth help at the yard sale, too--they wanted to be a part of it since they will be the ones enjoying the benefits of it. Several held up signs near the street to wave passersby in, one of our girls took on the job of being the "greeter" and made everyone feel right at home, and one of our boys worked super hard at packing up and moving large items afterward. Others handed out candy to our shoppers as a thank-you, and still others sold baked goods and lemonade. They worked so hard! About mid-way through the day we turned them loose to "shop" and let them have any clothing they wanted or thought their families could use. They each took home two garbage bags full of clothes! They had so much fun shopping they ended up doing a fashion show trying on their new things. One of our boys bragged about his "rich boy swag" as he paraded around in a new outfit. I really didn't think it could have been any more of a success!
Thank you all for all you did to support us and encourage us in what we do!! Of the proceeds the kids get to choose one place they have never been and really want to go, and we are taking a field trip! The remainder will go towards our events and camp this summer.
God bless all of you!
