Community Yard Sale raises funds for splash pad
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Last weekend's third annual Tillsonburg Community Yard Sale is aiming to help local families beat the heat.
A fundraiser for a proposed new splash pad in Tillsonburg, the three-day yard sale at Zehrs Tillsonburg raised more than $2,000.
"We raised $2,000 between Friday and Saturday," said co-organizer Cara Voisin, with co-organizer Judy Legg, anticipating another $500-plus would be tallied Sunday afternoon. "We're very happy."
Donations had been coming in for three weeks leading up to the June 15-17 yard sale.
"We filled a 20-foot U-Haul with donations, and two storage units - all donated by stuff - and we had nowhere to put it. Applewood Mini Storage and the Gradish family helped us out... we would have had nowhere to put this stuff if it weren't for them."
Numerous donations came in from Straffordville and Westfield Public Schools, Bethel Pentecostal Church, and people in the community.
In May 2016, the Community Yard Sale raised funds to support Fort McMurray, and last July, funds went to support British Columbia fire victims.
"This year we wanted to do something local," said Voisin, "and we heard that there might be something floating around about a splash pad. Then we had a meeting with the Tillsonburg and Area Optimist Club, and they have now formed a committee to back a splash pad. So our money will go to them, and they will hold it till it happens.
"So now when we approach Council, we've already got money, we've already started this."
The splash pad idea is not new in Tillsonburg, it has been talked about for years. But this time, said Voisin, they are going to get it done.
"This time it's going to happen," she smiled. "It's got a lot of backing. Look at this," she said pointing to the numerous items still on tables early Sunday afternoon, "we had so much support.
"The point is, I think everybody should be able to cool off on a hot day like this, without having to pay money. You can take your kids and have a great day... and the pool is for bigger kids, so they need something for the little guys."
Voisin thanked both Domino's and Zehrs Tillsonburg for their support.
"Every year we've done this, they've been right there for us."
Several other splash pad fundraisers are currently happening, or being planned, said Voisin.
"Michelle Wegg is heading the splash pad (committee).There's a Little Caesar's one going on right now, and a whole bunch of others. We're hoping the schools, in the fall, will step up and do some fundraising too."