Mammoth Garage Sale broadly benefits Marlburians

Four years ago, the Rotary Club of Blenheim South considered ways to broaden its impact. Members, both individually and collectively, already supported causes in the community as well as regionally, nationally and globally. A marquee fundraiser could enable doing more.

From this lofty goal emerged the Mammoth Garage Sale and Book Fair, which returns to Waterlea Racecourse this weekend. Over the past month, Rotarians have accepted donated items, stored and sorted them, and prepared for their big – mammoth! – event.

The first three sales netted around $100,000. Considering the club has put $300,000 into programmes and services over the past five years, this event has rippled widely.

“It is a fundraising activity, but it also has a number of other attributes,” noted Peter Burt, one of the Rotarians organising the sale.

“The monies raised go back to community initiatives that the Rotary [club] directors approve. A lot of the stuff [on offer] would probably end up in the recycling centre, so we’re really facilitating second or third or fourth use of many, many articles. It’s also good for the camaraderie of members working together and doing something that’s a plus.”

Beneficiaries vary. Proceeds have gone toward Whale Trail shelters, which members have spent 10,000 man-hours building; a Fire and Emergency caravan; a replacement truck for Selmes Garden Trust; lights for the Awatere Rugby Club; aid for victims of Cyclone Gabrielle; and equipment for schools in Tonga, where they have a freshwater project in early stages.

All-hands effort
So, how did Blenheim South land on this activity? Treasurer Neville White explained the club was “struggling to find enough revenue” for all it hoped to accomplish. While members brought in hundreds of dollars working other’s events, “we didn’t have a big revenue stream.”

The Rotary Club of Blenheim, its sibling in town, operates the Rotary Bootsale Market every Saturday. Lions Clubs, meanwhile, hold annual book sales in November.

“We didn’t want to be in direct competition with the Lions,” Neville explained, “so we made ours a garage sale and book fair.”

It takes a lot of work. On just the sale days – Friday through Sunday this week – organisers schedule 20 to 25 volunteers for half-day shifts. Beforehand, Rotarians collect items on-site and pick up items from donors unable to get there.

“Every member we have almost certainly will be involved,” Neville said, adding: “At the end of the day, everybody gets a bargain, and we just enjoy doing it.”

Mammoth Garage Sale and Book Fair
Where: Waterlea Racecourse
When: 15-16 May, 9am - 5pm, 17 May, 9am - 1pm
More info: rotaryblenheimsouth.org