MILLBURY – Boy Scout Troop 160 is organizing Millbury’s first community garage sale day as a troop
fundraising event on June 13 with an unusual "twist" to reward buyers.
Those who attend the event, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., will be entered in a drawing for a
$50 savings bond every time they visit a garage sale and spend at least $5 there. The person hosting the
sale will have tickets which they will give to buyers for the drawing.
And buyers can also purchase $1 tickets to be entered into hourly drawings at the fire hall for items
which have been donated, such as restaurant gift certificates. Co-organizer Shelli Blackburn estimated
the value of each drawing prize to be about $25.
All of the donated prizes will be on display at the fire hall. Winners of the hourly drawing can have
their pick of which gift they would like. Each time an hourly drawing is done, the names in the
container will be discarded, and new names entered during the following hour.
Buyers who want their name entered in the final drawing for the $50 savings bond must turn in their
tickets at the fire hall by 5 p.m. that day.
Blackburn said winners do not have to be present to win at any of the drawings.
While response within the community has been positive for having a community garage sale day, more
residents are needed to participate.
Blackburn, an assistant troop leader, said, "We’re trying to buy new tents. We’re trying to get all
the boys to camp."
The Scout group has about 20 boys.
The Boy Scouts are asking for a $10 fee to participate in the event. Local residents, and people from
other towns, are encouraged to reserve an outdoor space at the fire hall. Local residents can also
choose to have their sale at their home.
Shoppers can pick up at the fire hall a village map showing where the garage sales are being held.
All proceeds from the registration fee will go toward advertising in newspapers and radio, miscellaneous
costs and Troop 160’s summer camp expenses.
Also at the fire hall, Troop 160 will be selling hot dogs and chips, water and sweet treats, plus hosting
its garage sale there. Residents who do not have enough items to sell at their own sale are asked to
donate them to the troop’s effort.
Blackburn can be called at (419) 836-9632, and a time will be set to pick up the donated items before
June 13.
Along with the garage sales, the Millbury Firemen’s Association will offer hamburgers and pop for sale.
The Lake Township Fire Department will have its fire safety trailer set up to educate children what to do
in case of a fire. Additional children’s activities will be offered, such as face painting.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church will hold a chicken barbecue from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Dinners are $8 each.
Registration forms to participate in the garage sale can be picked up at Subway, Woodberry Market, the
Millbury post office, the Quilt Shop and Adams Screen Printing. Checks can be made out to Boy Scout
Troop 160 Millbury.
The event will be held rain or shine. "We’re Scouts," said Candy Takas, also an assistant troop
leader. "We survive in all weather."
Blackburn and Takas hope this can become an annual event in the village.
