It was hot, sunny, and busy on Hill Street here on May 26 – and the Belonzo family was quite happy with the weather – and the results of their garage sale.
The family has had a number of its members on both sides of the family affected by cancer – so it is fighting back every way possible. That includes fundraising.
The event was run by the family and its team in the coming Relay for Life, but Jim Belonzo said it is really a community event in the best sense of the word.
And the results were gratifying.
“It’s been packed,” he said with grin. “People are leaving with handfuls of stuff.”
He added that a lot of the goods on sale, ranging from children’s clothing to television sets and everything in between was donated by the community.
“People contact us,” he said. “They say, ‘I have a TV. Can you take it’?”
Michelle Belonzo said it was her mother-in-law, Sue Belonzo, who had the idea of the fundraiser six years ago. “Jimmy and I help out.”
She said last year the sale raised $890 and she was hoping that this year the results would be even better. She later telephoned to announce the total this year was $1,268.
Jim Belonzo said it is “the community that makes this” a successful event. “They could sell [the donated goods] themselves.”
He added that with all the work involved, it might be easier to go door to door and simply ask for donations.
But, he said, some people who would love to help are going through tough financial times.
Belonzo said people feel they can help by donating goods that they no longer use rather than having to refuse a cash donation.
Michelle Belonzo added that this year the sale featured a lot of donated children’s items. “People can give up stuff they don’t use any more.
The first year the sale raised $500 and she said the proceeds have increased every year since then.
