Ceremony recognizes fundraising yard sale

Annie Nock, center, presents a check held by Michael Parks, left, and Al Paulus to the American Red Cross during a ceremony on Oct. 30 in Bay Village City Council chambers. Photo by Denny Wendell

The organizers of last month’s two-day Community Yard Sale in Bay Village were recognized for their volunteerism during the Oct. 30 City Council meeting. Mayor Paul Koomar presented a certificate of appreciation to Annie Nock, who spearheaded the effort, before inviting other volunteers to the floor to present a ceremonial check in the amount of $10,154.73 to Michael Parks, regional director of the American Red Cross. The money will go to a disaster relief fund for victims of the recent hurricanes.

“This shows an incredible amount of effort. Having been to plenty of garage sales, I know that they don’t come in large amounts; they come in quarters and fifty cents at a time, so I realize what kind of effort this is,” said Parks, who also lives in Bay Village. “This kind of generosity just goes to show what a wonderful community we’re blessed to live in.”

The Bay Village Foundation acted as a conduit to turn the funds raised from the sale into a charitable contribution.

“Annie and her team did a tremendous job of putting this all together,” said Al Paulus, president of the Bay Village Foundation. “There were tons of helpers ... a lot of people donated, a lot of great shoppers. Couldn’t have done it without all of those people.”

More than 30 volunteers helped to collect donations from residents during the four days before the sale, and then sorted, priced and sold items in the Bayway Cabin. Items that did not sell were donated to The City Mission, West Side Catholic Center, Cleveland Kids' Book Bank, Bay Village Branch Library and Habitat for Humanity.

“I’ve been involved in a few philanthropic fundraising events over my 30-plus years in Bay Village,” said Council President Dwight Clark. “Being part of this right here was probably one of the most satisfying events that I’ve ever taken part in.”