The skies cleared on March 17th and the gates opened at 9 am to enable hundreds of eager shoppers to once again get great deals at AARF’s 4th Annual Yard Sale, which was held on the Grounds of the Department of Agriculture. The day turned out to be a great social event with a wonderful mix of shoppers that included Anguillians, residents, workers from different islands as well as many tourists.

Scene of the AARF’s Yard Sale

Some customers wanted to know when the next sale would be, but were disappointed to find out that this is an annual event due to the enormous amount of work involved. All year long volunteers have sorted, priced, bagged and boxed the goods that were generously donated to AARF throughout the year. Early on the morning of the event five truck loads were transported from the AARF container, which is stored at the premises of Anguilla Techni-Sales at North Hill, filled with bags of clothes, boxes of hardware, house-wares, linens, furniture, electronics, books, toys and much more.

This year the new “check-out” tent enabled shoppers to quickly add up their purchases and pay at the at the cashier’s table while standing in the shade of the tent.

The sale ended at 2 pm and the remaining items were picked up by the Spanish Church of Prophecy of God to be donated to those in need.

Scenes of the AARF’s Yard Sale

Althea Turner, head of AARF’s Fundraising Committee, would like to thank the 50 volunteers that helped to make this event a success by their hauling, unpacking, setting up, organizing and selling during the day. This annual community event would not have happened without the many donations and the eager shoppers. The Agriculture Dept. was again gracious in providing the venue for the sale. Chris Carty, President of AARF, and her loyal and helpful staff at Anguilla Techni-Sales, received the donated items all during the year. Transporting the goods was made easier this year by trucks supplied by Chris Lawrence, Bob Turner, Lennie Carty and Frank Faranda of Viceroy, who even sent along 6 energetic workers to help with the backbreaking work.

Scene of the AARF’s Yard Sale

JoAnne Mason again supplied our poster and, along with her mother, Joan Hill, treated the volunteers to cookies and drinks. Muriel Richardson made her delicious fudge and donated the proceeds to AARF. The Police Department was out on the road controlling the traffic, as the area got busy. We appreciated the free promotions from Caribbean Cable TV, Kool FM and Radio Anguilla.

The AARF not only raised a substantial amount of money at this event, but also illustrated how important and worthwhile re-cycling can be! The revenue will be used for the spay/neuter program which is helping to decrease the over population of unwanted dogs/cats on the island.

Scene of the AARF’s Yard Sale

The AARF is blessed with many wonderful volunteers, but help is always needed in the areas of education, fundraising and adoption days. Assistance is also appreciated at Morlen’s Veterinary Hospital where AARF’s animals are housed, and those special homes and people willing to offer foster care for these animals are always invaluable to us.

So, if you can volunteer or want to adopt a dog, cat, puppy or kitten, or know of an animal that needs a home, please call AARF at 476-2731.
Now the AARF container is empty and is ready for more donations for the next yard sale in 2008!

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