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SOMERS, N.Y. -- The Somers Womens Club, whose annual tag sale has been held for more than 25 years, earned about $10,000 for charitable causes on Saturday at Reis Park.
The club begins in the springtime by sorting and pricing donations. Its a tremendous amount of work, said Sandy Oringel, club president, especially in the heat of the summer.
In addition, club members go to local tag sales and usually arrange to take whatever is left over in return for an income tax deduction. In turn, when the Womens Club sale is over, other charitable organizations come and collect the clubs leftovers.
Oringel said that raffle tickets sold very well on Saturday, with the grand prize being a seven-day Norwegian Cruise Line vacation for two. Vendors were also on hand to sell their wares.
We got here at 6:30 this morning, said Rosa Jaimes, one of the organizers. We opened for business at 9:00. Im so happy it didnt rain.
Oringel guessed that more than 1,000 people showed up to browse around. Though she had no exact count, she roughly estimated the number as a gazillion.
We sell things inexpensively, she explained. In that way, the sale not only raises money for charity, it provides a shopping opportunity for people on limited budgets.
Among the clubs many beneficiaries is A-Home, an organization focused on finding affordable housing for older adults, disabled individuals and single parent families who cannot afford market rates.
Another popular service is the clubs adoption of a family during the holidays. It donates $75 per child and helps meet other holiday expenses.
Alexandra Baranowki, 9, came to the sale to spend her $5 weekly allowance. She bought, Harry Potter tapes, a movie and the game of Life, and was still shopping.
Rita Pizzurro, from Heritage Hills, found a scatter rug for her bedroom for $3. Then she found a battery operated lantern for just a buck.
In case of another hurricane, Ill keep it in the bathroom, she said.
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