Games, sporting equipment, jewellery and more to be found at Avondale Garage Sale

By: Emily Stewart

Lots of bargains will be available at Avondale United Church’s annual garage sale.

Avondale United Church will host their annual garage sale on July 11 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Leading up to the garage sale, Avondale will be collecting donated items from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. between July 7 and 10 at the church on 194 Avondale Ave. Volunteers will accept items such as jewelry, accessories, books, toys, luggage, linens, games, puzzles, sporting equipment, housewares like kitchen items and some outdoor furniture.

 "Last year there were two fabulous lounge chairs that people donated. You never know what is going to be donated, so you don't want to miss coming because it's always a surprise,” said congregation member Cathy Whelan.

Proceeds from the garage sale will support the church’s outreach programs, which support organizations such as the Stratford House of Blessing, Emily Murphy Centre and the Connection Centre. For example, congregation members buy ingredients and make sandwiches for the Connection Centre.

Clothing will not be sold at the garage sale but instead will be collected for a clothing drive to be sold by weight to Value Village, where proceeds will also support the church’s ministries.

Whelan said the annual garage sale is great for the community.

"Everything is so reasonably priced and when I'm working an area, if somebody can't afford it, we help them out – we just let them have it,” Whelan said. “It's really good. You can get really good items for a very reasonable, inexpensive price, so it helps those that don't have a lot of money to have some nice things."

Aleah Graff, Avondale’s community engagement coordinator, also enjoyed the atmosphere of previous garage sales run by the church.

“It's nice and accessible for anybody to join and for anybody to come in and just the atmosphere too, I've noticed is a lot of our customers love engaging in banter with our volunteers who sell things,” Graff said.

"Also (Rev. Keith Reynolds) is always there, our wonderful minister, and he loves to chat people up and they love to chat with him,” Whelan added. “It’s a warm and inviting atmosphere. It really is.”

After 11:30 a.m., anyone shopping at the garage sale is encouraged to fill a bag of items for $2, excluding jewellry.

Anyone looking for more information can call the church at 519-271-7946.