The Optimist Club of Collingwood and South Georgian Bay is kicking-off yard-sale season with a monster-sized event and 34-year-old tradition.
The Mother of All Yard Sales takes place May 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with thousands of donated items priced to sell, and an expected 1,000 people hunting for deals.
The 34th-annual sale will again take place at the Collingwood Curling Club as more than 57 volunteers and Collingwood Optimist Club members follow the direction of the event co-chairs Joyce Smith and Melanie Hale-Carter.
Last year, the line up when the doors opened at 8 a.m. stretched from the Curling Club to the water tower.
"It's wonderful that the community is supporting us and we really appreciate the support of the community for this event, not only for their donations, but for coming in and buying stuff," said Joyce, admitting the Mother of All Yard Sales is a bit of a "crazy day."
Leading up to the event, more than 30 volunteers will be on site every day from Saturday, April 27 to Wednesday, May 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to take in and process donated items from the community.
Donated items can include, more-or-less, anything you find in your home such as housewares, tools, electronics, sports equipment, blankets, furniture, toys, books, and more. They cannot accept tires, refrigerators, matresses or high chairs/car seats and other safety items like helmets that require certification.
All donations should be in good, sellable condition, and in working order.
There is a scrap metal and electronics recycling bin on-site during the donation days and the sale day to recycle things that cannot be sold.
There's a $2 admission charge at the door, but Smith said the prices of the items for sale are kept low. In the afternoon, prices drop by 50 per cent and toward the end of the sale, everything is free.
"It's not just about raising money, it's also about recycling things you no longer use that are useful for other people in the community," said Smith.
Smith has been helping at the Mother of All Yard Sales for about 10 years and this will be her third year as a co-chair.
"I think it's just amazing that people come out of the woodwork to help with this," said Smith.
The Collingwood Optimist Club supports youth programs and facilities in the area, with recent donations going to the CCI marching band, Collingwood Clippers swim club, the YMCA lifeguard training program, the Ontario Junior Hockey League Foundation’s brain injury program, Titan Rugby Club, Hitmen Lacross Club, Theatre Collingwood’s youth camp, Collingwood United Soccer, Collingwood Paddling Club, high school bursaries, Kids Fish Day, Collingwood Cheercore, Collingwood Youth Tennis Club, Collingwood Minor Hockey, Collingwood Girls Hockey Association, and Hope Haven’s riding project.
