Yard Sale by Vero Beach Power Squadron March 6, 2010

What’s a VBPS Yard Sale? It happens once a year at the VBPS building in Vero Beach. They have lots of old, some new, some slightly used and some really abused, treasures. Its difficult to give you details but let me say that there are treasures that you must have. The prices are right and bring an appetite. The ladies cook up batches of goodies (cookies, cakes, candies) and they guys/girls even do hot dogs, burgers and beverages. Its all for sale.

Donations - VBPS members donate all the treasures over a few months prior to the sale. A lot of the members bring the items to the squadron building, then moved by volunteers to a storage unit until the sale. If the items are big or you have a lot and need someone to pick up your donations you just call in and someone comes and takes the items to storage. A few days prior to the sale a group of guys with trucks, station wagons and SUVs, meet at storage and bring all the great stuff to the building. That’s when the fun starts. Lots of people pitch in and separate and mark as much as possible. The idea is to mark it all but somehow, without fail; items get out without being marked.

What to expect - As the VBPS is a boating group there will be lots of boating type stuff – line/rope, anchors, lights, PFDs, nautical books, tools, props, fishing gear, reels, flippers, and much more. I already mentioned the food. And of course household items – chairs, furniture, TVs, radios, computers, printers, bric-a-brac, dishes, plates, art pieces, wall hangings, etc., clothes (hats, purses, gloves, jackets, and more) jewelry, collectables, bicycles and lots of books – hardback and paper backs for a quarter and up.

Community Support - After the sale the remaining treasures are donated to Habitat for Humanity. They actually bring an empty truck our location and park it there until we are done. At the close of the sale the VBPS members all pitch in and load up the truck, which is picked up later in the day and returned to Habitat, where they unload it.

Some items that are on the Homeless Family Center list of things they would like are set aside (bikes, TVs, computer stuff) and after the sale these items are taken to the center.

Moneys Collected - Money collected all goes into the VBPS General Fund and is used on other functions during the year to support activities for its members and the local community. The latest community event sponsored by the VBPS was for the Indian River Boys and Girls Club Fishing Day.

Website - More information about the VBPS can be obtained at www.verobeachps.com. If you want to get some past yard sale photos click on “Photo Albums” on the left side of the webpage…then click on “Garage Sale March 1, 2008.”

TIP OF THE DAY - Don’t forget “ Its great to get there early, as you get first dibs” and keep in mind “As the days comes to a close deals are to be had”.

Official Website: http://www.verobeachps.com/