ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, July 17, 1996 TAG: 9607170021
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: For Seniors
SOURCE: TRACY WHITAKER
New River Valley seniors who volunteer with churches, clubs and organizations are often involved in helping their groups raise money to support a cause or activity. One of the best ways to raise money is a rummage sale.
Katherine McKenzie of Christiansburg coordinates the annual rummage sale for the Senior Athletes of Montgomery County. She recommends a number of ways to make rummage sales successful.
McKenzie suggests collecting items year round and having an annual sale. The more you collect, the better: veteran yard-sale shoppers like lots of stuff to poke and sort through. Members, especially those who own trucks, can rotate being "on call" to pick up donated items. Some members can allocate a small amount of storage space in a basement or attic to collect donated items. Churches can set up a closet or space in the building for collecting items throughout the year.
About two to three weeks before the sale, members should plan to meet to sort, organize and price items and decide how to advertise the sale.
Goods that are clean and displayed well will sell for more. Toss out broken or extremely soiled items. Group items that are similar. Try to keep prices at $1 or less for most items. Plan to give shoppers a bag and allow them to fill it for $1 during the last two hours of the sale.
Before you post signs, check local ordinances: some cities and towns prohibit posting rummage- or yard-sale signs. If signs can be posted, put them up a day or two in advance. Lettering should be large and clear enough to be read from a passing car. Other advertising ideas include a classified ad in the newspaper and fliers.
"We've found that having our sale on a Friday night and all day on Saturday works well. We do ours at the National Guard Armory in Christiansburg," McKenzie said.
McKenzie suggests using a public facility so that the sale can be held indoors so weather is not a factor and items can be displayed until the sale is over. Drawbacks are that reservations must be made months in advance and sometimes there is a small rental fee.
"We've found that children's toys, household and baby items, and furniture and small appliances seem to sell best. Seasonal clothing is the hardest item to move," McKenzie said.
McKenzie recommends donating everything that doesn't sell so you don't have to store leftover items.
Top off the rummage sale with a bake sale. Cookies, brownies, cakes and homemade breads sell best.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg. Victoria Scott, 382-5775:
* Today, 9 a.m., van departs for breakfast trip to Mill Mountain Zoo. Zoo tickets are $3. Transportation is free.
* Thursday, 9 a.m., Rock-a-thon committee meets at courthouse annex.
* Friday, 9 a.m., Rock-a-thon committee meeting at courthouse annex.
* Monday, 9 a.m., quilters meet at courthouse annex; 10 a.m., Shawsville group will work at SHARE warehouse
* Tuesday, 10 a.m., Warm Hearth and McCoy groups work on SHARE.
* Collection for items for the Fall Yard Sale has begun. Pick up available. Call 382-5775.
BLACKSBURG SENIOR PROGRAMS, Blacksburg Community Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive. Joy Herbert, 961-1134
* Thursday, 9:30 a.m., conversation and coffee. A representative from Kroger will talk about how a grocery store operates.
* Aug. 6 and 7, 1-5 p.m., 55 Alive class. $8.
CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St. Sherry Kostric, 382-8173:
* Today, 10 a.m., van departs from National Guard Armory for Senior Athletes of Montgomery County picnic at Claytor Lake.
* Thursday, 8:15 a.m., Walk-A-Roos blood pressure screening at Hardees at 8:15 a.m.
* Friday, 7 a.m., van departs for Hawks Nest State Park in West Virginia for New River Jetboats. Transportation is $5, seniors; $10 ages 21-54. Train tickets are $9, seniors; $10, adults.
* Saturday, 1 p.m., Scrappi Stitchers Club meeting.
* Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., "Signs of A Heart Attack."
RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St. Mary Jane Harmon, 731-3634:
* Today, 5 p.m., American Association of Retired Persons dinner.
* Tuesday, 7 p.m., free concert in Bisset Park.
* July 17, 5 p.m., American Association of Retired Persons dinner.
GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER,1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg. Betty Letsinger, 921-3924:
* Tuesday, 10 a.m., "Focus on Health" video.
PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave. Carolyn Duncan, 980-1000:
* Friday, 9 a.m., van departs for Hungry Mother Arts and Crafts Festival.
Senior shorts
* Senior Dances: Wednesdays, 5:30-8 p.m., Blacksburg Community Center. Joy Herbert, 961-1134.
* New River Community College 18th Annual Poetry Contest: Deadline for entry is July 31. Poems must be original, never before published and less than 60 lines in length. Writer's name and address should be included on each entry. Open to men and women 60 years of age and older. Send poems to Poetry, Arts and Sciences Division, New River Community College, P.O. Box 1127, Dublin, Va. 24084.
* Senior Employment Program: Job placement assistance and skills training for job seekers 55 years or older. New River Valley Agency on Aging, 980-7720 or 639-9677.
* Senior Centers: offer a variety of ongoing activities, trips and classes. Call for a newsletter and a calendar of events.
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