The community is gearing up once again for one of the biggest fundraisers in town, the IODE/Kinette Rummage Sale on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 and 24 and the drop-offs have begun, with Monday, July 25 having been the second drop-off day.
With another three to go, the last being on Monday, Sept. 5, the Kinette Club of Stettler is reminding the community that there are no town pickups.
"There are no town pickups," said Cheryl Barros, co-chair of the Rummage Sale with Tanya Derr. "We don't know yet what would be the highlight of the sale this year as it is completely dependent on what people bring in, but we are working hard this year to try and make the set up as pain free as we can for our volunteers."
Being in their third year as co-chairs, both Barros and Derr are aware of the many hurdles they have had to overcome, and no town pickup was one of their ideas.
"I personally feel that the Rummage sale is very important to our community," added Barros. "Not only can people buy things that are affordable but these items are not hitting our landfills and we are proud that we recycle everything that we can in terms of items brought in and not sold."
Barros also said that they could not organize the event without the help of the hundreds of volunteers that come out to support the sale each year.
"There will be no revisions to the sale this year and it will run the same as last year, and all items have to be dropped off during our designated drop-off times," said Allison Baird, vice-president of the Kinette Club of Stettler. "The Kinette Club does this project every year for a variety of reasons and this allows the community members to purchase items at an affordable price, it keeps excesses items out of the landfill, and promotes reusing and recycling."
The Kinettes also do everything that they can to recycle and/or donate items that do not sell during the sale.
"The Rummage Sale also acts as a fundraiser for our club and the funds raised go back into our community through a variety of different avenues," added Baird.
All those who are dropping off items have been informed that no 'old-school' television sets will be accepted as it is extremely difficult to get rid of them through the rummage sale, as is the case with computer monitors and baby items such as cribs, strollers and high chairs.
"The success of the event depends on what the community is able to donate, and we also really depend on the hundreds of volunteers and volunteer hours that go into the event for it to run smoothly and successfully," said Baird.
All those who would like to volunteer should contact Cheryl Barros at 403-740-2898.