Get some deals and Support the Troops

By Ginna Young

Like to hit the local thrift sales? Then you won’t want to miss the Support the Troops garage sale Friday, June 25, and Saturday, June 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Held at Kathy Swanson’s home at 20801 State Hwy. 27, the sale’s proceeds go toward purchasing and mailing care boxes to overseas soldiers.

Coordinated by the Cornell-Lake Holcombe Camaraderie Club, the care packages contain chips, magazines, drink mixes, jerky and puzzle books. Sent every two weeks, the boxes are packed by club members and mailed to service people with ties to the area.

Because postage is expensive, as well as buying supplies to fill the box, the club is holding the sale to raise funds to keep the care packages heading overseas. The club also donates money to the Cornell and Lake Holcombe elementary schools, for books and field trips.

“We’ve done projects for them when we don’t have soldiers to send to,” said Swanson.

Swanson asks the public to contact her if anyone has a name to add to the care packages mailing list for those deployed to the Middle East. In the meantime, the club continues to collect items for the sale, large or small.

New or gently used items can be dropped off at Swanson’s by Tuesday, June 22, so there is time to sort and price the goods. Swanson can be reached at 715-827-0065 and a time arranged to drop off the donations, or to request that they be picked up, if someone is unable to deliver the items.

With the recent heat wave, it’s a good time to go through the closet, attic and garage, to see what can be donated.

“Anything that will sell at a thrift sale,” said Swanson.