Prince George, BC – The Fall ‘Kids Good As New Sale’ kicks off in a few hours, in a flurry of fundraising activity for the College Heights Community Association…

The biannual event first began in the spring of 1998 and since then has grown to become one of the major fundraisers for the CHCA.  Volunteer Coordinator, Laura Johnston, outlines some of the statistics involved in this four-hour sale that features quality pre-owned children’s items including clothing, indoor and outdoor toys, furniture, sporting equipment and more:

• more than 7,000 items sold over the course of the four-hour event
• between $20-$22-thousand dollars raised (70-percent going back to the seller and 30-percent going to CHCA)
• 75-80 volunteers involved in organizing the one-day event in the fall and spring (200-300 volunteer hours)
• approximately 140 sellers

On average, Johnston says approximately $6-thousand dollars is raised each sale, with approximately half going to fund special events hosted by the association like the fireworks at Halloween, Breakfast with Santa, and a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for all the volunteers involved with the association.  That dinner goes this evening.  The remaining half goes into the CHCA’s general operating budget to help run programs for children, youth, and adults.

Residents from all parts of the city participate in those programs.  Johnston, herself, does not live in College Heights, but says her family takes advantage of the many of the offerings.  "What’s really great about the association is – because of all the fundraising and all of the volunteer support – they’re able to offer a wide variety of programs at really great rates.  We have a lot of really great volunteer leaders for those programs who donate their time."

That’s also the case with the sale.  "Every year, we put a call out for volunteers and we have a waiting list of people wanting to help out with the event," says Johnston.  "Very committed, very dedicated, efficient, effective, and positive, fun volunteers – it’s a good group of people to work with."

Today’s sale runs from 10am until 2pm at the Diocese Office at 6500 Southridge Avenue in College Heights.