Cochrane's largest community garage sale held last Saturday (May 11) was an incredible success.

For eleven years Royal LePage Allstar has been hosting the event which features all sorts of household goods, yard, and sporting equipment, as well as clothing.

Debbie Leah, Realtor with Royal LePage Allstar shares although she gets slightly nervous the week ahead, the donations always come pouring in. "It always seems like three days before the event the flood gates open, and we get bombarded by donations. Cochrane always shows up!"

This year the garage sale saw a little bit of everything including the kitchen sink. When it comes to leftover items, Leah says there wasn't a lot left and what was, was recycled by the Cochrane Activettes, Cochrane Humane Society, and by a shelter in Calgary. "The leftover stuff doesn't go to the dump it gets repurposed nicely. One thing that happened this year that hasn't happened in year's past is someone from a Safe Grad committee came and took a bunch of couches for Safe Grad, and the ladies said when they were done they would take the couches to the same Calgary location."

This year the garage sale had lots of support from the business community as well as additional entertainment. The Women of the Wild West were on hand with their horses and Jason Cote performed in the afternoon, adding to the ambiance of the event. "The entertainment was received very well; the horses of the Women of the Wild West got lots of attention and the public really enjoyed them. Jason Cote came to sing and the people loved hearing him, he is a very good singer. A lot of businesses came out to participate which was crucial. The garage sale has just become too big for us to manage on our own now, and we really do need and appreciate the support we are receiving from the community."

Leah shares ten realtors were involved in hosting the event along with twenty or so volunteers, and for anyone wishing to help out Big Hill Haven, this may be the perfect event to pair with. "They could either give an hour of their time or five hours. It is really a 24 hour period between the setup and the takedown and they can contribute as much or as little as they like."

Raising over 5,000 dollars for Big Hill Haven, Leah says the event would not be possible if it wasn't for many helping hands. Looking forward to hosting Cochrane's largest community garage sale, for a great cause, all over again Mother's Day weekend 2020, Leah shares, 'Save the Date.' "People look forward to this sale year after year and they are very appreciative of what we do, and for supporting the shelter."

Started by the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, the National Garage Sale for Shelter continues to bring awareness and initiatives that help break the cycle of family violence across Canada.