The Vermilion Rotary Club is eagerly anticipating hosting their annual Community Garage Sale this April after having to pause the club’s fundraising event for the past two years. This year’s sale will take place April 28-30, at the Vermilion Curling Rink.
With the commitment of the Rotary Club for all profits from the sale to be reinvested in the community, this project is a win-win for not only residents of Vermilion, but the surrounding area too.
With health safety restrictions so recently being lifted in their planning, the club is being mindful to maintain a safe event for the volunteers and community. Any public health restrictions which may be in place at that time will be followed.
The annual Garage Sale provides an opportunity for community members to participate by donating their quality usable items for sale. Profits from the sale support youth programs, sport activities, leadership opportunities, support and care for seniors, community infrastructure and cultural organizations. Sale items are not individually priced, so come with the expectation that Rotarians are committed to be good stewards of the generous donations and will entertain reasonable offers.
Each year the club selects a showcase project to receive the first $5000 raised at the sale. This year those funds are dedicated to the Vermilion Fire Department to support the equipment purchase of a drone.
Many partners from Vermilion contribute to the sale’s success. The Town of Vermilion, Vermilion Agricultural Society, Lakeland Mall and the Vermilion Curling Club all contribute tables to receive and display the merchandise donated. Rotarians, their spouses, family members, local youth partners, and Friends of Rotary put in many hours to organize the donations to be ready for shoppers when the doors open, and emergency services technology (EMS) students from Lakeland Emergency Training Center have traditionally volunteered to assist with the clean-up.
Rotary Club President Laurel Wynnychuk is looking forward to the event, “It always moves me, the extent and support of the community involvement in the Garage Sale. From the donations, to the individuals and groups that we work with for set-up, in-take, and sale days”.
Rotary establishes partnerships for any leftovers following the sale to ensure the community’s usable donations are shared with other worthy organizations for the purpose of raising funds for their good works in local communities.
Donations will be accepted for the Rotary Garage Sale on Thursday, April 21, Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23. More details to follow on both Facebook and in the Voice.
Should it be necessary, a local pickup service by Rotarians may be available but you must call early to confirm.
For more information reach out to a Rotarian or call Brenda Lee at (780) 853-7861.
Follow “Rotary Club of Vermilion Alberta” on Facebook for the latest news about the sale.