Garage sale season is nearly upon us, and one youth group is hoping to capitalize on it in a big way.
The 12th St Albert Scouts are in the early stages of preparing for its second annual Garage Sale Fundraiser, a project that is one of the troop's biggest ways of supporting its drive to send a group of people to this year's World Jamboree in Japan this July.
"We had over 250 households contribute last year. As far as gross sales are concerned, we did about $24,000," stated spokesperson Steve Sande. "Obviously we came up short to get all the way there."
The party to the jamboree will include one patrol consisting of nine youths (aged 14 to 17), an adviser along with several international service team members. It costs $5,000 per person, which means that the sum for all to travel is $80,000.
The Garage Sale Fundraiser is set to start May 2, with the first month designated mostly to receiving donations. May 29 will the first day of sales and will continue on weekends until June 28. Just like last year, they're open to receiving a wide range of household goods but with a few changes.
"We're going to be a touch more selective this year. We're going to put a different spin on it," he continued. "We learned a lot last year and need to become more efficient at this fundraiser."
Details are still being worked out regarding the location. Further advertising and promotion is set to come out next month.
All households that participated last year received a tax deduction for their donation. All leftover products were donated to other non-profit organizations including Little Warriors, Goodwill, Salvation Army, the Bissell Centre, and Hope Mission.
SAIF's Red Shoes getting ready again
Tickets are now on sale for the annual event that encourages men to dress up like women, if only for an hour, and it's all for a great cause.
The Red Shoe Gala supports St. Albert Stop Abuse in Families financially, sure, but it also promotes the concept of 'walking in someone else's shoes.' Since men are most often the perpetrators of domestic violence, the male guests at the event can get sponsored by other attendees to put on a pair of sassy red high heels for an hour. Each sponsorship costs $100.
Oh, and don't worry gents, organizers have an ample supply of red shoes to lend out just in case you don't have your own.
The Red Shoe Gala takes place on April 11 at the Double Tree by Hilton, 16615 109 Ave. in Edmonton. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. with the formal dinner commencing at 7 p.m. Tickets are $85 each or a table of eight for $680. There will be a variety of fun activities for the attendees.
Visit www.stopabuse.ca to learn more about their prevention and counselling services and the event, or to buy tickets. For more information, call them at 780-460-2195.
