Garage Sales That Give Back

Today is the official start of sale and a few participants are hoping to do more than pocket extra cash. Oakdale’s Hope Church and resident Missy Martinez, among others, will use the proceeds from their sales to go toward charities of their choice.

For the last few weekends, women from Hope Church have been donating gently used clothing for the church’s sale. Instead of selling the clothes to residents in the citywide garage sale, Hope Church will be giving the clothes away to women in need.

“Our hope is that women who need clothing will come to our sale,” Janine Ford, one of the church’s sale organizers, said. “It’s going to be kind of a free garage sale.”

Recipients of the clothing will include women from the Dwelling Place, Project Home and the Family Place, and others from the community in need. Leftover clothes will be donated to Martha's Vineyard and Joseph's Coat.

In addition to clothing, the church received donated prom dresses from a dress drive put on by current students and alumni from Tartan Skills Club. The dresses will be free for teenage girls who can’t afford their own gown.

“The clothing drive is for the mother who spends her money buying food for her family, rather than buying something nice for herself,” Ford said. “We want to make that person feel good by giving her something new.”

The event at Hope Church isn’t the only charity-driven sale. Proceeds from Oakdale resident Missy Martinez’s garage sale will go toward the Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk, an event she’ll be participating in.

“My mom is a breast cancer survivor and I have many friends who have been affected by the disease, that’s why I wanted to do the walk,” Martinez said, noting that she needs to raise $2,300. “Times are tough and asking people for money doesn’t feel right, so I’m doing fund raising where people can get something for their donation.”

Along with usual garage sale items, residents will find food and crafts at Martinez’s sale. Candied pretzels, breast cancer cupcakes and Rice Krispies treats will be available. She will also have breast cancer-related jewelry, T-shirts and birdhouses.

“The baked goods and crafts were all hand made by my mom, sisters, friends and myself,” Martinez said. “There will be a lot of pink. I want people to know that all proceeds are truly going to be donated.”