Trash ‘n’ Treasure Team Gets Together
Preparations for Birmingham’s oldest Independence Day festival is underway. The 65th Annual Our Lady of Sorrows Church Independence Day Festival will be held on Friday, July 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the church grounds at 1728 Oxmoor Road, Homewood. The Knights of Columbus #4304 coordinates the festival and welcomes everyone to the fundraiser which will include barbeque, a raffle, games for all ages, and the popular Trash ‘n’ Treasure rummage sale.
The Trash ‘n’ Treasure team members officially began their busy season on May 21. Nearly 100 volunteers enjoyed a potluck dinner that evening at the church and heard from Melanie Falconer, the rummage sale chairman. “We’re ready to take things and we need donations,” she said. “The Knights of Columbus have already been picking up some things. We have about 3 storage units full of stuff.”
Donations are being accepted now through June 30th. Falconer said all donated electronics and small appliances should be in working order and clothing should be clean, on hangers if possible, and may be gently worn but not stained. She also said they cannot take car seats and cribs that are old and without expiration dates or are past their attached expiration dates. “Car seats now have an expiration date on them. We cannot sell them if they do not have the sticker on them or if they’ve expired,” she stressed.
The shopping can begin as early as 8:00 a.m. for the first 400 people who donate $5.00 for early bird admission tickets. Otherwise, bargain hunters can enter for free at 9:00 a.m. Falconer said furniture will once again be sold under a 4800 square foot tent. It will be next to the gym which will be stuffed with other items. A shoe drive has been going on for months. Hundreds of pairs of shoes already have been repaired and rejuvenated at the Homewood Shoe Hospital.
Falconer said that soon red and white yard signs will begin popping up advertising the festival. She also encouraged volunteers and bargain hunters to keep an eye on the Trash ‘n’ Treasure Facebook page for updates and photos of interesting items.
