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Ruth Moore calls the unexpected gifts from strangers "manna from heaven," the dropped off items that will now find new homes during Friday's Christmas rummage sale.

Moore and fellow church member Ann Spencer at New Providence Presbyterian Church have been sorting, cleaning, tagging, folding and displaying thousands of items that will be featured in the annual sale at the church. They were joined by 20 or 30 other volunteers Wednesday morning as this popular event gears up.

"We get donations from everywhere," said Moore. "People donate their Christmas items from last year and we keep them all year for this sale."

In a three-hour period, they expect to take in $5,000 -- and none of it stays with New Providence, explained the two cochairs. The proceeds will go to organizations like Blount County's Habitat for Humanity, Community Food Connection, Good Neighbors, Haven House, Trinity Health Ministries and several others that provide important services in this community. In addition to this annual Christmas rummage sale, New Providence holds a monthly rummage sale to raise funds for these non-profit agencies. From Aug. 1, 2007 to July 31, 2008, a total of $29,800 was awarded to them.

On Friday, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., hundreds of community members will arrive at Westminister Hall at New Providence to purchase toys, Christmas trees and decorations, jewelry, antiques and collectibles, sweatshirts, decorative art pieces and more. The lines start forming outside the door before 7:30 a.m., said Spencer.

A giving spirit

A volunteer in this project for 12 years, Spencer said the first sales date back 50 years at New Providence. The first ones were small and held in the church vestibule, she said. Today, the sales are taking over every inch of Westminister Hall and are spilling out into the kitchen and other rooms.

The church doesn't have to go out seeking or purchasing things for the rummage sales. They just show up in boxes and bags, Spencer said. "It's just wonderful what has been given to us."

Moore believes the events are so popular because prices are kept extremely low. Shirts and blouses sell three for $1, she said. Men's pants are also three for $1, and jeans are only 50 cents. Really nice dresses can be had for a mere $1.

And in this tight economy, bargains are being sought out, Moore said.

Donna Booher, who has been at New Providence her whole life, takes care of the antiques and collectibles part of the sale. People from the church and community donate their china, crystal and family heirlooms because they know the proceeds will go to the right place, Booher said.

This volunteer also said it makes her feel good knowing that items for the sale are all getting second chances, and that helps the environment.

"Really, this is a green project," she said. "I am a big recycler. I feel like if someone else can use it, that's great."

There were still hours of work ahead Wednesday morning as Spencer. Moore, Booher and the others got things in order for the sale. One volunteer said rummage sales can be addictive for lots of people. "I used to laugh at them," she said, until she became one with them.

Maybe you need a coffee mug, Christmas platter, picture frame, wreath, some Christmas lights, Barbies, puzzles, a cake dome or table linens -- or maybe you know someone else who does.

You're all invited to the Friday sale.