The Great Big Garage Sale was a great big success

On behalf of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens I would like to extend my thanks to the entire community for their continued support of the Great Big Garage Sale, held this year April 26 at Someday Farm.

After 11 years, one might expect a drop in attendance or profitability, but the event continues to draw more and more people each year. This was a banner year, both in terms of attendance and result, so whether you donated "stuff" or "shopped up a storm" or both, we thank you.

This event has established a relationship between the Coalition of Concerned Citizens and the community. Watching more than 3,000 people wait patiently in line to get in, one could hear warm and excited greetings being exchanged from one end of the line to the other. There is an excitement in the air, a synergy, a shared commitment to ensuring the day's successful outcome.

The sale is the result of hard work by dedicated volunteers who return each year to sort, display, price and sell the collection of donated stuff we all seem to collect over time. Volunteers have their favourite "departments," and over the years a healthy competition has evolved to see who can sell the most. In addition to the various departments, there is of course the silent auction, which contributes a significant percentage to the bottom line. This year's lucky draw winners came from Hillsburgh and Brampton, and both were thrilled to receive the phone call telling them they'd won $500.

The Coalition of Concerned Citizens remains viable and vital because of the strong and committed community support we receive from all of you. The proceeds from the sale will help us meet the more than $400,000 required to mount a credible opposition at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing in 2009 so, although admittedly an enormous success we have a long way to go.

Thank you again. It is a testament to the passion surrounding this controversial application that we say "See you next year"!
Willa Gauthier
Coalition of Concerned Citizens