Nature Centre ready for Mega garage sale

Aug 30, 2023 | 7:30 AM

It’s no secret that a good part of the success for many organizations are the people behind the scenes. Often those people are volunteers.

Every year at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre, a cadre of volunteers join the ranks and help with countless duties including summer programming, grounds health and maintenance, special events, and fundraising.

A long-standing group of ABNC volunteers has worked behind the scenes on major fund-raising projects like the annual spring plant sale and the MEGA GARAGE SALE events. This hardy, seasoned group has been at it since the start of the centre in 2000.

Mel and Judy Maglio have been part of this ABNC volunteer group from the beginning, and together with their dedicated crew, have raised funds crucial for the ongoing education and awareness programs offered by the Centre.

“For us and many of the volunteers, this off site sale will be the last that Judy and I organize. It’s time to step aside after 20 plus years and turn the planning and organizing over to another group,” Mel said. “We’ve saved thousands of items from going into the landfill and promoted the ‘recycle, reuse and reduce’ philosophy, while raising thousands of dollars for the centre.”

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ABNC events coordinator, Keely Schneider, believes this event is a major source of community engagement for Allan Brooks.

“The semi-annual Mega Garage Sale is a massive fundraiser for us and is carried out entirely by our amazing group of dedicated volunteers.”

Schneider knows the event’s reputation comes from the group’s hard work over the years.

“They’re committed to selling quality items at the lowest prices, and we are so excited to see how many things we can sell this time around.”

For the Maglios, it’s been an adventure they’ve enjoyed. Part of their work was collecting donations and ensuring the items went to use.

“Setting up and taking down was work. But we also did our best to make sure unsold items went to thrift stores, and organizations like Habitat for Humanity or Santas Anonymous, or recycling depots,” said Mel.

After all, it’s their love of the environment and people that inspired this work.

“We’ve appreciated the support of the ABNC Staff and Board over the many years we’ve been involved, including the volunteer coordinators, managers, marketing staff, receptionists and educational teams,” he said with a smile while looking at the planning list and setup arrangements for Sept. 8. “We just want to say thank you to everyone.”

The ABNC MEGA Garage Sale is from Sept. 8-10 at 2206-23rd Ave (not held at Allan Brooks Nature Centre), East Hill, Vernon, near the corner of 23rd St. & 23rd Ave.

All proceeds go to support the Allan Brooks Nature Centre.

by Vernon Matters Staff

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