United Way preps for Community Garage Sale

The United Way of Great Texarkana is gearing up for its Third Annual Community Garage Sale.

The sale takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 15 at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church.

To help make the event a success, the United Way is asking the community to donate usable items to be sold.

Items can be dropped off at the United Way Office, 214 Spruce St., Texarkana, Texas, through Oct. 14 or at Williams Memorial UMC, 4000 Moores Lane, Texarkana, Texas, on Oct. 14 only. Old-style televisions will not be accepted.

“The larger, outdated televisions or old computers we’re not needing, but we will take most other items,” said Mark Bledsoe, United Way president and CEO. “We need household items, furniture. Items we can resale.”

People who will need help when dropping off heavier items are asked to call the office and schedule a time.

“We do have a truck that will be on the premises where we’ll be able to store items. All they have to do is call us to schedule drop off,” Bledsoe said. “If it’s clothes or something that’s not heavy, they can just drop it by.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit the 2017 fundraising campaign.

“All of this money will go toward our annual campaign and then go out to all the agencies we support,” Bledsoe said.

In the past couple of years, the sale has raised approximately $5,000. Organizers are hoping to have similar success this year.

The United Way works to improve the lives of people in this area by funding programs focused on education, health and income. The goal for the 2017 fundraising campaign is $900,000.

Donations are tax deductible and tax receipts will be available for people who need them.

There is also a fish fry scheduled to benefit the United Way from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the United Steel Workers Local 752L Union Hall across from Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Tickets are $10 and will include a catfish dinner and all the sides.

For tickets to the fish fry or to schedule a time to drop off donations, call the United Way at 903-794-3105.