The 25th annual GIANT Garage Sale is now one for the history books.
CCHS Volunteers at the 2009 Garage Sale from Tom Schaefges on Vimeo.
New total - $50,422.84
Slide show | Friday Time Lapse | Saturday Time Lapse | Bag Sale Time Lapse
28 May 2009
Mare Payne
It's also one for the record books: The most money was raised - as of today, $49,970 – by the most volunteers - 139 - at the event May 22 and 23 at Kesler Hall at the Champaign County Fairgrounds in Urbana.
As the slide shows reveal, in a little over a week the cavernous empty hall evolves into a thriving mercantile.
The best volunteers in town cleaned, organized, priced and attractively arranged the merchandise – and kept their good humor intact.
Besides our usual departments selling housewares and tchotchkes, books, artwork, antiques, clothing and sporting goods, among others, we added this year a vintage clothing boutique and Bettina's Doll Shoppe, featuring the massive doll collection bequeathed to CCHS by longtime supporter and Garage Sale volunteer Bettina Chapman who died in February.
The weather was superb, and the crowd was pleasant, patient and in pursuit of bargains. There were plenty to be had, making it a win-win for the shoppers and the animals being cared for by CCHS who benefit from the sale's proceeds.
Thanks to the Champaign County Fairgrounds for allowing us to occupy their beautiful setting once again, and special thanks to the donors who generously provide us goods to sell, and our business partners who provide goods and services:
Absopure Natural Spring Water, water
Alexander Lumber, plywood for tables
Allied Waste, refuse service
Blain's Farm and Fleet, chain and masking tape
Blum's Office Supply, cash registers
Community Resource, cardboard and clothing recycling
Do-It-Best Hardware, masking tape
Home Depot, masking tape
Intercollegiate Athletics, U. of I., tables
Interstate Trailer and Trucking, semitrailer for storage'
Kirby Foods, paper grocery bags
LA Gourmet Catering, water
McCormick Food Service, oranges and apples
Michael's Catering, water
Panera, plastic bags
Rogard's Office Products, marking pens
Schnuck's Grocery Store, Urbana, refreshments, shopping carts
U-Cycle, City of Urbana, recycling service