Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Although the pickings are limited to clothing and toys for children and maternity items, the Kids Market event is the mother of all garage sales.
According to this year's coordinator, Gretchen Smoker, the consignment sale event in Rodeheaver Auditorium, Winona Lake, began five years ago with two people "in charge."
"They thought the community would be better off having a consignment sale for kids. They did it pretty much themselves. Now, they've both moved out of state.
"They established a couple of other people to run the sale. More and more people get added on to the team of leaders each year."
This year's sale is Sept. 17. A group of 12 women volunteer for the event: Smoker, Cindy Clingan, Kimm Mobley, Deb Wiley, Marilyn-Ruth Lilly, Kris Stichter, Jackie Gustafson, Lee Ann Horst, Michele McCrum, Leah Hoskins, Heather Wihebrink and Heather Desenberg.
Items are sold at garage sale prices (in 50-cent increments) and anyone may contribute to the sale.
Kids Market offers gently-used infant, children's and maternity items. For a seller, it's a way to earn more for consignment items. For a buyer, it's a place to buy children's items at garage sale prices, Smoker said.
Things should be clean and in excellent condition. All items will be screened for stains, holes, smells, worn spots or defects of any kind.
Maternity clothes and children's clothing, up to boys or girls size 14, are accepted. No women's shoes or underwear will be accepted.
Toys, nursery equipment, games, books, car seats, children's entertainment cassette tapes or CDs, puzzles, strollers, bikes, highchairs, diaper bags, nursery or kid's furniture, boppy pillows, or anything else to do with children or pregnancy will be taken. Stuffed animals and soft dolls will not be accepted.
Proceeds are donated to local non-profit organizations.
"Last year we were able to donate $2,000," Smoker said. "Receipts were $20,000; two-thirds of that went back to the sellers. This year, 40 percent goes to Kids Market to pay expenses. The rest we give to charity."
This year's recipients are Heartline Pregnancy Center, Combined Community Services' Project Independence, The Beaman Home and five local MOPS International groups, an organization dedicated to helping mothers of young children.
Drop off times are Sept. 15 3 to 7 p.m. and Sept. 16 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers and contributors may buy goods later Sept.16.
The public sale is Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with items marked down half price from 4 to 6 p.m.
Pickup is Sept. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. Unclaimed items left after the sale will be donated to charity.
"Sales practically double every year. We're very pleased with that. We want to consistently give $2,000 to charities, that's our goal."
Kids Market blank price tags are available at Instant Copy in Warsaw. Detailed information is available from Smoker, 269-4265, and available on the Internet at www.kidsmarket. bravehost.com
