“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”
Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service hosted a charity garage sale for ValPlayso Next Generation in memory of Kelli (Cleary) Longacre.
Kelli passed away five years ago from a rare heart disease. Her family and friends took it upon themselves to make a difference in the community, one way or another. After years of fundraising for the American Heart Association, they wanted to try something new. That’s when they came up with the idea of fundraising for ValPlayso Next Generation.
Monica Decker, co-chair of the ValPlayso Children’s Committee and member of the Valpo Parks Foundation board of directors said "all of the money that is made from the garage sale is going to ValPlayso as a donation. In memory of Kelli, we’re going to sponsor an item in the park, such as a planetarium. We’ve been collecting items since the beginning of April and it’s been great seeing the community voluntarily give to the cause.”
None of the items were priced. The ladies working the garage sale asked for a fair donation and were pleased with any amount that was given.
Donna Flanagin of Flanagin's Bulk Mail Service said, “Having the customers price their own items is great because it puts positive peer pressure on them. At the end of the day, every little bit counts!”
HUNGRY INC. even joined the ValPlayso team. 10 percent of the revenue from regular food items went to ValPlayso. HUNGRY INC. even added a special food item to the menu for the event.
Phil West of HUNGRY INC. stated, “I was classmates with Kelli so this event in particular hit it close to home for me. Tacos were one her favorite food items, so we decided to create the ‘Kelli Taco’. 100% of those proceeds go towards ValPlayso. We try to do as much fundraising with them as we can.”
Dino Jump house will be at the garage sale on Saturday.
Be sure to attend the yard sale at Flanagin's Bulk Mail Service, located on 802 Evans Ave, Suite 1 in Valparaiso!
Can’t attend the yard sale but still want to help? Make donations by visiting - www.gofundme.com/kelliclearylongacre.
To learn more or to volunteer visit www.ValPlayso.com