News Photo by Darby Hinkley
Alpena residents Joan and Tom Lavoie take a moment to smile for a photo while they peruse the book section of the Ukrainian Refugee Rummage Sale on Friday at the APlex. The sale continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, with a half-off sale starting at 2 p.m. As of 2:30 p.m. on Friday, organizers were halfway to their goal of $15,000, thanks to tremendous support from the community.
“The turnout has been wonderful,” said Stefanie Huffaker of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who teamed up with the women of Trinity Episcopal and Alpena Community College women’s athletics to sponsor the sale.
“The response in the community has been fantastic,” Huffaker added. “I couldn’t ask for more, honestly, so that has been amazing. And we have gotten nice, nice stuff. This isn’t like a normal rummage sale.”
All monetary profits will go to Save the Children, a nonprofit that helps displaced refugees. Any leftover items will be trucked across the state to a Ukrainian church in Traverse City, Huffaker added.
