Council on Aging garage sale underway

CINDY WOOD/independent feature writer

It is, quite literally, the garage sale to end all garage sales.

The Van Wert County Council on Aging’s annual warehouse sale started yesterday and droves of bargain-hunters were on the hunt for the deal of the day.

Celia Collins of Lima made the trip over with her daughter, Christa, and they were hoping to find some clear Christmas lights they could use for an upcoming October wedding.

“You wouldn’t believe the things we’ve found at garage sales this summer that we’re using for her wedding,” Collins said. “We’ve gotten a lot of ideas off of Pinterest, and my daughter’s friend told us about this sale, so I thought we’d drive over and check it out. I’m glad we did.”

While the pair didn’t find the lights they were looking for, “we found a whole lot of other stuff we’re going to use,” Collins said with a laugh. “I don’t even know how all this is going to fit in my car.”

The annual sale is one of the Council on Aging’s biggest fundraisers, and proceeds from the event will primarily be used to provide fuel for the agency’s transportation program. Over the last three months, the agency has made over 900 transports taking area senior citizens to a variety of medical appointments in Van Wert, as well as surrounding counties.

It’s a big bite to the budget, but proceeds from the annual garage sale help alleviate the impact of skyrocketing fuel costs.

“We do it for fuel primarily,” Executive Director Kevin Matthews said. “My gosh, the vehicles just kill you. There aren’t a lot of people, probably about 15, on the PASSPORT program, and, to be honest, some people just can’t contribute because they just don’t have the money.”

Local taxpayers have long supported the agency’s efforts, and renewed two tax levies in 2011 to help provide funding for a variety of programs offered by the COA. The Van Wert Senior Center, purchased by the agency in 2009, offers senior citizens a recreational facility, as well as serving as a hub for the growing transportation program. Senior citizens can also purchase low-cost meals Monday through Friday at the center.

Matthews said he’s grateful for the community’s support and backing, which helps the agency to continue providing vital services for area seniors.

“We’ve got a lot of really nice stuff. It’s kind of unbelievable how much stuff we have. I think another thirty feet on the warehouse would have come in really handy,” he said, adding, “people in the community have been very generous and given us some pretty awesome stuff to sell, which helps us a lot.”

Matthews also thanked the many volunteers who have helped prepare for the sale, specifically mentioning long-time volunteer and Council on Aging board member Lloyd Marvin, who Matthews said went above and beyond the call of duty. “I tell you what, I couldn’t have done this without him,” Matthews said of Marvin. “I think he’s been out here probably forty hours a week for the last three or four weeks helping get this sale ready.”

Marvin, who was busy arranging items on a table, said he’s happy to help out wherever he can. “As you can see, we have quite an overabundance of items again this year,” Marvin said, adding that volunteers have helped move furniture, wash dishes, or price items.

Last week’s dismally hot weather was not a good time for the volunteers, but it didn’t stop them from preparing for the sale. “There were a couple of days there that I thought we might melt out here,” Marvin said with a laugh. “We were doing a lot of washing and cleaning of items, but I think overall, it’s turned out pretty good.”

Last year, the agency made approximately $8,500 in proceeds from the sale, and Matthews is hoping to top that number this year. “It’s good weather, so hopefully everyone will come out.”

The sale continues today from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The sale will also run next weekend as well. The Van Wert Senior Center is located at 220 Fox Road. For more information, call 419.238.5011.