Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club's annual holiday sale is bargain hunter's paradise
Diana Rausch of Ann Arbor checks out a window decoration with the word "JOY" on it while looking for things to spruce up her work space Saturday at the annual Kiwanis Holiday Thrift Sale in downtown Ann Arbor.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
"A lot of new folks came to our Christmas sale," said Lamkin, adding that he also saw a lot of shoppers who also come to Kiwanis Club's weekly rummage sale. "I think people have more needs this year."
The club's downtown location on First Street near Washington makes it convenient for people to walk or drive or ride the bus.
On Friday and Saturday, the Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club had its annual holiday sale selling lots of clothing, hardware, books and much more.
Kiwanis member Kim Clugston said donations have been increasing.
"We have more stuff than we can put out," said Clugston. "People are learning to do with less clutter and instead of taking things to a landfill, they're bringing things to us." It took more than 100 volunteers to make the Christmas sale happen. Kiwanis's mission is to serve the community through donations, and shoppers are excited to buy gifts for less money.
"I bought my sister a nice blouse for Christmas," said Benita Schnaidt, a regular shopper at the Kiwanis rummage sale who walked from her home in Baker Commons. Musician Dave Sharp came to the Christmas sale and is also a weekly visitor to the rummage sale.
"I like to check out music equipment, and my son and I look through the toys and sports equipment," he said.
Amy Vail, another regular Kiwanis shopper, was taking advantage of the Christmas sale to buy an electric typewriter for her 5-year-old son.
"I also buy baby clothes for my four-month-old twins and will donate the clothes back to Kiwanis," Vail said. "It's the cycle of merchandise. It's like renting it."
Kiwanis member and past president Clarence Dukes, who worked at the Christmas sale, has been a member of the Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club since 1965.
Photo slideshow by Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
"We have increased our prices modestly to compete with the Salvation Army and other thrift shops," he said.
The Ann Arbor Club donates more than $155,000 annually to more than 100 local organizations including Food Gatherers, Hope Clinic, and the Peace Neighborhood Center.
"My kids grew up working here and when they come home to visit, I bring them back and call the people here my other family," said Dukes.
The Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club (www.aakiwanis.org) was organized in 1921 and currently has 170 members. The club accepts dropped off donations Mondays and Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. at its 200 S. First Street location.
"People find community here," said Clugston. "It's a safe place and a happy place, and it feels like Christmas every day."
Comments
Jean
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 11:22 a.m.
Sounds like it would have been a fun event for a good cause. Wish I could have been there. And, although it is referred to several times, information on when and where the "weekly sales" are is missing from the story. Please remember not everyone knows all about AA already. Thanks.
Kathy Griswold
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 11:21 a.m.
@Sandara Sorry you missed our sale. We are in the process of developing a monthly Kiwanis Thrift Sale newsletter to notify shoppers of our special sales, including our first ever Warehouse sale in January. If you would like to be added to the newsletter mail list, please email admin@A2Kiwanis.com.
Kathy Griswold
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 11:14 a.m.
@Yolan Yes, we did raise our prices slightly. The purpose of the Kiwanis Thrift Sale is to raise funds to support local causes and provide college scholarships. We want to give our shoppers a competitive price while maximizing our support to the local community. Please stop by some Saturday morning and check out our great deals. You will not find a better selection of merchandise or more helpful volunteers at any store in Ann Arbor.
Sandra
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 12:16 p.m.
Well, I see that A2.com is maintaining the tradition of its predecessor.....reporting events after the fact (which is good) but leaving the reader (at least me) wishing there had been more advance coverage (a sentiment probably shared by the sponsors of the event). How many times have I said to myself "Darn! I wish I had known about that enough in advance to be able to plan on attending!"?
yohan
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 4:53 a.m.
"We have increased our prices modestly to compete with the Salvation Army and other thrift shops," he said. INCREASED prices to compete? That is either a typo or a very interesting business model. Knowing AA.com it is probably a typo.