Angels’ garage sale draws thousands

By ABBY SLANKER

Angels for Animals held its annual Gigantic Garage Sale April 16-18 at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

Thousands of items filled three buildings and included appliances, baby items, books, Christmas and holiday items, toys, knick knacks, computers and electronics, furniture, sporting goods, tools, antiques and collectibles, jewelry and clothing. Attendees were given a list of items in each building and a map to help them locate the buildings.

A Chinese auction was also held with donated items. The proceeds from the garage sale account for 5 percent of Angels for Animals’ operating budget. Last year, the sale grossed $70,000 and netted $58,000. Proceeds benefit the organization.

Organizers estimated that 1,100 early birds attended the sale the morning of April 16, the first day of the sale. There were approximately 7,000 in total attendance last year.

“This fundraiser is successful due to the generosity of the public,” said Diane Less, founder of Angels for Animals. “We appreciate the attendees’ patience and they are the reason the garage sale is such a success.”

According to Less, this is the 16th year the garage sale has been held. The first sale was held in a person’s garage and that was when it was realized what a good idea it was as a fundraiser for the organization.

It was then held at the Calla-Mar for the next three years. The event was moved to the fairgrounds as it grew larger and larger.

All garage sale items are donated and volunteers from the organization help in every aspect with the sale. Some volunteers will collect items throughout the year, but all the items are brought to the fairgrounds the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before the sale.