God was with us today. Not only were we able to raise $1,200 for our organization, but we were able to spread the word and meet more veterans. This community is amazing and I love that we are a part of it.”Jeremy Hogan
CULLMAN – Sportsman Lake Park was the place to be on Saturday, March 19, as hundreds showed up for the community-wide yard sale. More than 75 vendors were scattered throughout the park, some looking to unload clutter from their homes, others to earn extra cash for themselves or to help fund special causes. Whatever the reason, lots of people came out to enjoy the beautiful weather and to search for terrific bargains.
“God was with us today,” said Jeremy Hogan, founder of Saving Forgotten Warriors, an organization that advocates for the health, safety and well-being of United States veterans. “Not only were we able to raise $1,200 for our organization, but we were able to spread the word and meet more veterans. This community is amazing and I love that we are a part of it.”
Natasha Holcombe had a booth at the yard sale for a slightly different reason. She was raising money to go on a mission trip with her church.
“I am here to raise money for a mission trip to Nicaragua,” she explained. “We are leaving on July 16 and will be there until July 23. I have made around $200 so far today; I have to raise a total of $1,500 to be able to go. It’s really hard when you also have college tuition due at the same time,” she chuckled.
“I go to church at Holly Pond First Baptist, but we are going with Mt. Zion and four other churches; there are 25 total people going,” she added. “This isn’t my first mission trip though. I went to Guatemala two years ago and built a retaining wall. It was major hard work the whole time,” she grinned. “This time we are strictly sharing the Gospel, so it’s a little different.”
Belinda McKinzie and her sister-in-law Nancy came all the way from Blount County to set up their booth at the yard sale. Brenda owns ‘It’s a Sewthern Thang,’ a business specializing in customized sewing.
“Today has been great,” McKinzie said. “This is the first time we’ve ever been here for a yard sale, but we plan to come back again and again. It is such a nice area and the weather is just perfect,” she smiled. “We have really sold a lot of items today. We have car seat canopies, aprons, blankets, bibs, dream catchers. I make quilts. I hand quilt and monogram. Everything in our booth is handmade. I can’t wait to come back and do it again!”
Yard sales can be a perfect way to earn some extra cash. Saturday’s sale was one of two that will be held at Sportsman Lake Park this year. The second, which will take place in the fall, is scheduled for Oct. 22.
For more information and to keep up with all events held by Cullman County Parks and Recreation, visit http://www.cullmancountyparks.com/.
