SCUCC to host annual Almost Spring Bazaar this weekend
An island church is set for its annual seasonal sale, and the public is encouraged to stop by.
The Almost Spring Bazaar will be held on Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, at 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. The sale will feature a wide assortment of new and gently-used furniture and housewares, jewelry, toys, artwork, sports equipment and more.
There will be a silent auction with unique items, plus a baked goods table with tasty treats.
Barb Cecala, one of the SCWIM Sanibel Congregational Women in Mission members involved with the annual planning and organization of the event, explained that it has been held for years.
“It’s free and open to the public,” she said. “We welcome everyone.”
Proceeds from the sale are distributed among local groups that help families.
“What we do is fund raising a couple of ways during the year for local missions on the island and in Fort Myers,” Cecala said of SCWIM. “Basically for women and children and families in need.”
Some of the recipients include F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, a preschool and food pantries.
“Every penny we get for everything but maybe a brownie or two it all goes to the various missions,” she said. “We try to give away everything that we earn.”
Last year’s event raised over $18,000 to help families in need.
The items for sale have been contributed by donors.
“We are fortunate to get some really nice items,” Cecala said.
There are lamps, cabinets and chairs, hats, purses and scarves, and glasses, dishes and cookware.
“We have a lot of jewelry for sale. We’re stacked up with books, good books, this year,” she said, noting that there will also be bromeliads available for sale. “We have a number of items that you would have out in your garden, big urns, that sort of thing.”
“It’s sort of like an old-fashioned yard sale,” Cecala added.
Some of the one-of-a-kind items are a 5-foot gun safe, carved wooden head, sterling silver necklaces and amethyst earrings, a pair of Chinese-motif cabinets, and a ping-pong table with its accessories.
Shoppers will not find beds, sofas or shoes.
For the silent auction, there will be about 30 to 40 items to bid on.
She noted that the winners do not have to be present to win.
“We have asked people to give us special items, special things that are perhaps a little more costly or unique,” Cecala said. “We have some nice paintings, we have some baskets that have been put together with various themes with gift certificates.”
Another popular aspect of the event is the bake sale.
“Mostly it’s baked goods, though we try to do casseroles and soups, too,” she said. “We try to package the cookies and brownies and the cakes in really nice packaging just to make it more appealing.”
Cecala noted that the gift-wrapped items are perfect for a friend or neighbor.
She invited residents and visitors to swing in.
“We have a good time,” Cecala said, noting that shoppers will be able to find one-of-a-kind beach-y and southern themed items, which are perfect for the islands. “Things that just fit around here.”
“And it’s just a fun event,” she added.
For more information, call 239-472-0497.