Yard sale Saturday will help dragon boat team
Claire Ryan’s latest FUSION Saint John article appeared in today’s Telegraph-Journal:
This Saturday, the FUSION/Investors Group dragon boat team will hold its second fundraising event of the summer with a yard sale in Queen Square in the south end. This is the second year for the yard sale after a popular inaugural event last summer, and all proceeds will be donated to the 2009 Saint John Dragon Boat Festival.
“We wanted to do something different,” said Katie Emrich, the dragon boat team captain and event organizer. “And everyone loves a yard sale, but not many have the time or patience to put one on.”
The yard sale gives people a reason to clean out those closets and donate their unused goods, as community members donate all items for sale.
The 2009 Saint John Dragon Festival will take place Aug. 29 at the Renforth wharf, and the proceeds will be used to create a Wellness Garden and Sanctuary at St. Joseph’s Hospital for patients and their families.
Have some things you’d like to donate? It’s not too late to downsize and give to a good cause. Team members will be taking donations this week, and they will also ensure that anything that is not sold during the day-long event won’t end up back in your junk drawer. Leftover items from last year’s yard sale were later donated to First Steps, the Salvation Army and Value Village for Community Living.
Take advantage of the great space Queen Square has to offer for community gatherings. The dragon boat team is working to build on the success of last year’s sale and make this one of FUSION’s marquee summer events. Additional festivities will include a barbecue, starting at 10:30 a.m., face painting and children’s entertainment.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. In this case, use of the term “trash” is debatable – great items that have already been donated include a computer monitor, karaoke machine, furniture, home décor items and children’s toys and games. Regardless of whether you’re parting ways with your “trash” or discovering a great new treasure, you’re supporting a great cause.
“It’s something that costs very little to host, which means more money can go directly to the cause,” Emrich said of the inspiration for turning a yard sale into a fundraiser.
“Everyone is hard up for money these days, so this is a great opportunity to unload old stuff, and support our team and the dragon boat festival.”
FUSION’s fundraising yard sale will take place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Queen Square. Items may be donated at 271 Princess St. on Thursday and Frdiay from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit us online at www.fusionsj.com.
Claire Ryan works with MT&L Public Relations Ltd. and is a member of the FUSION Saint John board. Her column appears on Tuesdays. She can be reached at cryan@mtlpr.ca.
