Get Ready for a Bargain at Senior Center Garage Sale

After seeing the success of last year’s first Garage Sale, organizers have decided to bring it back this year.

“We’re constantly brainstorming to try and make money for the center to fund our programs, and this is one thing we decided to try,” said Billie Mateer, meal program manager at the center.

This year’s sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, at the Center, 156 E. Washington St.

Like last year, the event will include a silent auction. There will also be baked goods available for purchase.

The inaugural Senior Center Garage Sale raised $2,200.

“We have more merchandise this year so hopefully we equal that or go over that,” Mateer said.

, with kitchen items, lamps, jewelry, gardening equipment, children’s clothes and toys, books, sporting goods, purses and bags, pictures and frames, craft and sewing supplies and seasonal decorations.

“We have lots of Christmas decorations,” Mateer said. “It was the same way last year. People buy those and turn them over.”

This year’s sale will also include a section called Grandma’s Attic which Mateer said will feature "vintage" items like collectible Barbie dolls.

Copies of the Oswego Senior Center’s cookbook will also be available for $10.

All proceeds from the garage sale will benefit senior center programs.

Besides a twice-weekly lunch program, seniors can take part in various activities scheduled five days a week at the center, including line dancing, computer classes, various card and board games, continued educational programs, community gardening and exercise classes.

Mateer said the Senior Center is gaining popularity in the community.

“Two or three people walk in a day just to see what it’s all about or to sign up for programs or get a tour of the place,” she said. “Some days are busier than others. And some of the programs have to have double sessions because so many people are interested.”

Executive Director Bob Wyngard said about 500 people come through the center each week for one program or another.

He said the garage sale is a major fundraising effort for the center.

“Even with other various sources of funding they don’t cover all the costs to operate the center,” he said. “We have to raise some money on our own. The garage sale helps us keep the place going.”

For more information on programs, classes and activities visit www.oswegoseniorcenter.org.