Operation Hope's Giant Tag Sale Will Return — With A Twist

FAIRFIELD, CT — This August won’t see the traditional enormous tag sale presented each year by Operation Hope, but a constellation of little tag sales that will run in conjunction with the nonprofit may be an even better shopping experience for many locals.

“Our traditional event is loved by so many in the community, (but) the pandemic put serious restrictions on us last year and this year our traditional space is still offline,” said Carla Miklos, Operation Hope's executive director.

In 2020, for the first time in close to 30 years, the local charity was unable to hold its annual event because of COVID-19 restrictions. The fundraiser generally draws between 2,000 and 3,000 people.

This year, on the weekend of Aug. 7 and Aug. 8, residents throughout town will be holding simultaneous tag sales that will be marketed through Operation Hope for a fundraising fee of $25.

“We thought that our friends throughout town might still want to participate, clear out their clutter, and contribute to a good cause,” Miklos said.

While people will not be required to donate any profits from their individual sales to Operation Hope, they are encouraged to contribute additional donations beyond the fee.

“Obviously because of COVID we can’t host the big shebang that we usually have,” said Andrew McKinnis, an Operation Hope intern and local activist, who is helping organize the new initiative.

As a result, he said, Miklos suggested searching for other viable alternatives, finally settling on a model that is being used up in Cheshire involving satellite sales.

“We wanted to do something to keep the tag sale alive, but it’s hard to do it on that big scale,” he said.

McKinnis said in a typical year, Operation Hope gets around 500 cars coming through to donate items for the big sale, which takes place mainly outside in the parking lot of First Church Congregational of Fairfield.

Instead, this year, Operation Hope will provide a database list to anyone interested in shopping, telling people specifically where each tag sale is being held throughout town. The details provided will also show what items are generally available at particular sales, so shoppers can target the ones that appeal most to their interests.

“We’re trying to make it easier for people to get what they need,” McKinnis said, explaining that tag sale hosts will receive materials to get them started, including pricing dots, markers and a yard sign.

Although the coronavirus pandemic seems to be winding down, Miklos said many people are still in distress, particularly in terms of finances. For example, she said that though rent moratoriums were a great help, renters now owe large amounts of money, and some have not even returned to work.

Landlords themselves, she said, have also lost significant income and some are having to forfeit their properties.

“So there will be a lot of people on both sides of this situation that will need help,” she said. “More people than ever came to us looking for food and other support, and we don’t see that ending any time soon.”

The tag sale, she said, has traditionally been an important fundraiser and plugs a gap in Operation Hope's annual budget.

“We really don’t know what an event like this will bring,” she said. “But we are thankful for whatever proceeds the host sites decide to contribute.”

For more information on how to participate, email info@operationhopect.org.