By Danielle Coots
For the Gazette
BELLBROOK — The Bellbrook Lioness’ annual gigantic garage sale is gearing up for another successful year. The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday – Thursday April 6-7 located at 2757 Wilmington-Dayton Road.
“We’ve been gathering items since last year. It takes us two weeks to get things cleaned, sorted, priced and set up,” Bellbrook Lioness Jaynie Ramsey said.
The club decided to begin having garage sale in 2005 as a way to raise money for the club. The money raised stays in the community to be used to help the local schools or to help local children and families. The first year, the club collected over $1,300 and each year it is more and more as people become aware of the event.
Like many community events, there are many stories to be told. There are many mishaps, misunderstandings, and a lot of fun. The annual garage sales are no different.
“One year, we had items under a tent. We had terrible wind guts and the tent ended up about going over the roof of the Lions Club Center,” said Ramsey. “Then one year, we thought we had a bike stolen. We called the police. Later, we learned that it had been placed in the basement by a lion’s member that wanted to buy it.”
“One year, we found $40 in an old table top sewing machine. Since we knew who donated it, we were able to return it. The owner was very happy,” Lioness chairwoman Barb Schulte said.
Since the beginning, Schulte has taken the reign to organize, plan and do whatever was needed to bring the community this two day event. Since she was considered a “garage sale” person, she was nominated for the position and has kept the position. The garage sale items are donated by friends, family and community members.
“We have a large corn crib that we use to store the stuff in until the garage sale. The Lion’s men use horse trailers to bring all the items to the Grange so the Lioness women can begin the fun of setting everything up,” Schulte said. “We’ve had swimming pools, books, dishware, clothing, pots and pans for campers. We have a little of everything. That’s what makes it fun.”
During the garage sale, don’t forget to visit All Saints Anglican Church next door where they will be offering a bake sale, including homemade pies. The church is also offering lunch that include sandwiches, chips and drinks.
“People look forward to the sale every year. It’s fun. We all work together, get to know each other a little better, eat lunch together and get an opportunity to scourer through the garage sale items,” Schulte said. “Then, when it’s all over, we begin the task for collecting for next year.”
For more information contact Barb Schulte at 937-848-2220.
