Neighbors helping neighbors makes for strong communities 🙂
That was the text included on the bottom of the quarter-page flyer distributed to houses in the neighborhood ten days ago inviting people to attend and contribute items to a yardsale held yesterday. And it’s what motivated me to be involved in the event.
Why not get items no longer utilized into the hands of those who’d put them to better use? Seems like a win-win.
Since I’ve spent much of the past few years in a RV I already live pretty lean but I was still able to contribute some clothes. Friends rounded-out the yardsale offerings with books, CDs, DVDs, shoes, furniture, electronics, and other items.
In addition to informing those in the neighborhood about the event, it was posted to Craigslist. Passerbys also accounted for a sizable percentage of those who visited.
Though some of the items present had stickers affixed indication a price, many items had stickers that read “1 hug.” Instead of just being “free” – which might result in a “thank you” when parting, why not share the love? Underscore that personal connection? Break-down the silos that many erect?
One lady, who happened to be driving by with her husband picked up a couple of items and asked how much she owed. “You can take them for a hug!” I told her. That seemed to catch her off-guard, and though she initially told me “I can’t do that – I’m married!” Her husband, in the car idling feet away told her, “Give him a hug.” She did so and left with a smile. And she called me “dear.” 🙂
After the yardsale concluded clothes, blankets, pillows and shoes that weren’t claimed or bought were donated to the Hundred Nights Shelter (here’s their wish-list of items if you’re so-inclined). Tomorrow some other items will be brought to the Salvation Army.
Thanks to everyone who helped with the event – both in contributing items and time!
A couple of take-aways, should such an event be held in the future:
- hold the event in the AM (8am-noon)
- posts informational signs with arrows on a couple of nearby corners that incur higher vehicle traffic (i.e. Court St. & School St. as well as West St & School St.)
