Thanks to community

Thanks to dry weather and good publicity, the 13th North Valley Community Sale for Refugee Aid surpassed all past sales. Participation was strong for all 10 days of the sale, and as a result it raised more than $10,000, to be split evenly between Doctors Without Borders and the International Rescue Committee. As usual we were fortunate to receive lots of material donations from the community and to entertain many participants who turned them into treasures.

The sale would not have been possible without the help of an uncountable number of volunteers from several parts of the valley. Some were regulars who have helped in other years, but many others dropped in for the sale, and then stayed on for several hours to help out. One of them was Manita Coggins, who has previously served with Doctors without Borders in Angola, Africa.

The most unique helpers were Laelia, 3, and Olive, 5, who opened a lemonade and hot chocolate stand next door. They attracted many new buyers, and donated their proceeds to two organizations.

This year we are particularly grateful for prominent articles in the Daily Interlake and in the Whitefish Pilot. We are grateful also for several public service announcements by Bee Broadcasting, and for television coverage by KCFW that added a boost as we approached the 10th and final day of the sale.

It is the wonderful support from our unique community that makes this sale successful year after year. Thanks to all of you.

—Sam and Ruth Neff