The Daily Times

This past weekend was the beginning of my spring cleaning. I thinned out closets, sorted totes of my kids’ clothing, and eradicated unused items that I kept only because I am a borderline pack rat.

By the time I was done, I managed to fill a truck bed … twice.

In the past, I might have had a garage sale, participated in a consignment sale or sold more valuable items on Craigslist or eBay. However, this year I am choosing to donate.

In addition to simply not having the time to go the selling route, I was searching for items to donate to the Junior Service League of Maryville’s “Bloomingdeals” Spring Sale that will be held on Saturday.

I have donated a lot of items over the years to charities. In fact, I have suggested more than once in my column to donate, document, and then reap the reward of your tax write-off. Rarely, however, do I focus on the actual charity that the items are going to.

If I’m being truthful, the organization is usually not a huge concern of mine. I am typically motivated to purge items and then decide where they will go.

This time, however, the motivating factor for my weekend of cleaning was the beneficiary.

In the event that you are not aware, Junior Service League of Maryville is the organization that funds and facilitates Toys for Blount County. Each year, they raise funds through events like their Santa Breakfast to purchase toys for about 1,400 under-privileged children at Christmas time.

Since becoming a member of Junior Service League last year, I have had the honor of participating in their toy drives and fundraisers and am confident that all the money raised goes directly to a worthwhile cause. Like many readers with small budgets, cash donations are more difficult for me to come by than material ones, so this is a way that I can help the organization that doesn’t cost anything.

I am also planning to shop at the sale. Buying items from a charity is doing more good than buying them from a store and they are almost always cheaper.

From what I have heard, there will be a plethora of items at the sale ranging from patio furniture to clothing and everything in between. Several volunteers have reported amazing brand-new items that have been donated.

I love garage sales, but sales like Bloomingdeals are my favorites. Not only is the organization making 100 percent of the profits, people who would not normally bother with consignment or garage sales will donate items simply to support the organization.

Sales like these will often have a larger percentage of name brand, expensive, and new items than a traditional garage sale. Even I donated my higher-end brand name items this time instead of selling them.

If you love bargains, I expect you will be able to find something at Bloomingdeals. It may end up being Maryville’s largest charity sale of the year and perhaps eventually allow this great program help more children in our county.

Bloomingdeals will take place at 116 Chantilly Lane off Highway 321 this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale is cash only. See you there!

Amy French Habart is a Maryville native who writes and speaks about bargain shopping and living well on a small budget. She offers tips and tricks at http://cheaptricks.blountblogs.com and can be contacted at (cheaptricks@ymail.com)

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