’Tis the season for yard and garage sales in Sylvan Lake, and one local is hoping to use the seasonal standby as a fundraiser.
Brenda Lee Cherry-Tapper is a new resident to Sylvan Lake who has seen a unique opportunity to raise money for the Sylvan Lake Food Bank.
She is planning a large community yard sale for the Willow Springs community on July 28.
“People are already having yard sales, I thought this would be a good chance to raise some money for the food bank while also giving residents a chance to clear out their houses,” said Cherry-Tapper.
Money for the food bank will be collected through a $20 donation from each house choosing to participate, any money raised through each yard sale is the home owners to do as they like, according to Cherry-Tapper.
“If they want to donate their proceeds they can if not that is fine too. All we ask is the minimum $20 donation,” she said.
Homes are also encouraged to accept non-perishable food donations during the yard sales as well, which will be picked up at the end of the day.
Cherry-Tapper has successfully held a similar event in Warren County, in the U.S.A., where she used to call home.
She said she called it “Need Knows No Season” because people often think about the food bank in wintertime around Christmas.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for the food bank,” Cherry-Tapper said. “I just hate the idea of someone going hungry.”
Right now, Cherry-Tapper is looking for more participants to sign up for the community yard sale.
Interested participants in Willow Springs can sign up for the community-wide yard sale until July 26. Those who sign up by that date will have their address printed on a flyer so shoppers know where to go.
“Even if we only get five house, at $20 each, that’s $100 the food bank didn’t have before and I count that as a win.”
Those interested in participating in the yard sale can email Cherry-Tapper at krazykoolpartiesandgiftbaskets@gmail.com with the subject Community Yard Sale.
Cherry-Tapper plans for the Willow Springs Community Yard Sale to be held on July 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.