After several years of holding a successful annual auction, volunteers with the ELANCO Library, located at 11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland, have decided to branch out a bit. "We wanted to try to do something more inclusive," said Josh Martin, who is spearheading the project with library director Heather Smith. "The auction is popular, but we wanted to cast a wider net, so that people have a number of ways they can support the library."
With that goal in mind, the library is holding its first Community Fest on Saturday, May 11. The fest, which will be hosted by Garden Spot High School, 669 E. Main St., New Holland, will begin at 7 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. The event will include a rummage sale, food, children's activities, and music. Martin wants to assure area residents that the auction will return on Thursday, Oct. 17, as an auction gala.
Currently, the library is accepting donations from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. each Wednesday and Thursday and on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Donations may be dropped in the trailer located across Chestnut Drive from the library. Items that will be accepted include clothing, jewelry, cookware, utensils, dishes, glassware, small appliances, furniture, toys, video games, books, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs, and electronics items, including stereos, radios, and speakers. For large items, donors are asked to call the library at 717-354-0525 to make drop-off arrangements. Smith noted that donors who stop in at the library may receive a receipt for their donation. Items that will not be accepted include baby items, televisions, computers and related equipment, mattresses, large appliances, large musical instruments, exercise equipment and VHS tapes. Donors who are unsure whether their item will be accepted may call the library to ask.
Smith said that as items trickle in, a group of volunteers are working to sort, clean, price, and repackage them in preparation for the sale. "All dishes are being washed," said Smith, who noted that teenage volunteers, clients from Lighthouse Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and other volunteers are all working on the lower level of the library like a well-oiled machine to get ready for the sale. "We clean it, sort it, price it, re-box it, and send it to outside storage," said Smith of each donation. "We have quite a crew of volunteers, but we are always looking for more help," she added. Volunteers will be needed especially when school closes on Friday, May 10, and organizers begin setting up for the sale the next day.
Smith noted that items will be carefully sorted and priced to sell. "We want things to move," she said, adding, "We are going to have a section of the tent that will be our Vintage Corner and include collectible items, and I think it will be very pleasant to shop (at the sale)."
Providing a nice experience for attendees has been a goal of the event. "There will be plenty of parking," said Martin. "We will make it as easy and convenient as we possibly can (and) as comfortable as possible."
Along with the rummage sale, which will be held rain or shine under a tent, free children's activities will include two appearances by the costumed character Pete the Cat, a bounce house, and crafts. Music will be provided by disc jockey George DeFeo. "Children are welcome," noted Martin. "They can be entertained close by while their parents shop."
Hungry shoppers will have opportunities to purchase ham sandwiches from the Lions Club trailer and fresh-cut fries from a second food vendor. Half-chickens will be available at a chicken barbecue. Tickets for the chicken barbecue may be purchased prior to the event at the library or at the Fest.
Martin hopes that a chance to enjoy festivities in the outdoors will bring area residents to the new event. "This is our new fundraising strategy to capitalize on spring fever," he said with a laugh. "(We're hoping people will) get outside and have a fun spring day."
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