Once again, the Fall Awesome Sale was a great success!
The final amount was about $24 500 which exceeded the 2016 Fall total. For this particular sale, this result should be celebrated since there were no summer donations received because the stage was needed to store the furniture, church records and other sacred/special items from Presteign-Woobine United Church. Also noteworthy, is the record 2017 annual total of about $58 500.
In the 22 years of recorded totals, the Awesome Sales have now raised over $780,000. 25% of the Awesome Sale revenue is designated for the outreach work of our church.
These awesome sales would not be possible without the steadfast belief, commitment and hard work of many people. We are grateful for the donors, sorters, sales people plus set-up and clean-up crews.
However, year-round efforts are required by a group of very dedicated disciples who call themselves, “The Ragpickers”. Twenty to thirty times a year (mostly Friday mornings), these special folk meet to sort, clean, fold, pack and store all the saleable goods. There are almost 20 departments now. It is a monumental effort!
For up to two to three months before Sales Days, our church custodian, Kim Morgan, has a considerable amount of extra work created by the tasks of picking up and storing furniture, books, clothes and many other items. We are fortunate to have such a helpful, pleasant person to assist with the heavy lifting, etc.
There are literally thousands of unique stories associated with the many aspects of these Awesome Sales. Indeed, every staffer, customer, pick-up and destination (for goods sold or unsold), has a special value. For example, unsold books from The Sale now have 6 separate new homes in places like Sunnybrook Health Centre, Women’s College Hospital, Robart’s Library, Victoria College and The Children’s Book Bank. Furniture goes to Habitat for Humanity and all other items are picked up by Cerebral Palsy. As well, much-needed practical goods are at times, directed to families in the Thorncliffe-Femingdon area.
The positive effects of our Awesome Sales help so many in both our local and GTA communities.
Over the years, funds raised via the Awesome Sales of our church have helped the following:
LOCAL
Community Kitchen
Eastminster Out-Of-The Cold
Flemingdon Food Bank
Kennedy House Youth Shelter
Massey Centre
Raising the Roof (toques)
Special Projects: e.g., Social Justice Cafe
Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office projects
Yonge Street Mission
Christan Resource Centre
REGIONAL
Echo Bay Pastoral Charge
First Nation Social Justice Truth & Reconciliation Commission; Special needs e.g., Housing
Lake Scugog Camp
INTERNATIONAL
Refugee Resettlement
El Hogar Projects, Honduras
Thank you to all who continue to make Leaside’s Awesome Sales truly “Miracles on Millwood”!!!
Bob Lister and George Hurst
You must be logged in to post a comment.