Winnipeg's Biggest Garage Sale a giant success

November 17, 2010 | Community News | Archive 2010

Right up there with wedding socials and chuckling at the rest of the country's idea of what constitutes winter weather, garage sales are a Winnipeg institution. As Winnipeggers, our thriftiness when it comes to making our collective shopping dollars stretch is matched only by our legendary generosity.

The World's Biggest Sock Monkey puts in a friendly appearance at Winnipeg's Biggest Garage Sale

It should come as no surprise then that over 5000 Winnipeggers jumped at the chance to come out and create opportunities for better lives for everyone in our city by spending the day bargain hunting at Winnipeg's Biggest Garage Sale, with many showing up well before the gates opened at 8 am to ensure they had first crack at the assembled items. This abiding love for good deals made Winnipeg's Biggest Garage Sale a smashing success. The event raised over $43,000 - money that will go toward ensuring United Way's network of essential programs and services remains stable and available to all Winnipeggers.

On Saturday November 6, 2010, the third floor of the Winnipeg Convention Centre was transformed into a cornucopia of second hand treasures. An inflatable waterslide, air hockey tables, and giant holiday ornaments, were but some of the one-of-a-kind finds that filled the over 50,000 square foot pop up marketplace. A children's activity station and live entertainment provided by talented local performing groups made the event a fun day out for the entire family.

Winnipeg's Biggest Garage Sale would not have been possible without the mega support of title sponsor Esso whose generous support included providing drop off facilities for the donation drive at their Esso On the Run stations around the city.

A big thank you also goes out to 17 Wing/CFB Winnipeg, AMJ Campbell Van Lines, Bison Transport, Canadian PUPS, Child Find, Dynamex, High Road Commercial Cleaning Inc., the video students at Red River College , St. John's Ambulance, U-Haul, and Winnipeg Convention Centre who provided massive support and much needed muscle power.

Finally, United Way would like to thank the people of Winnipeg for donating items and shopping at the sale as well as the many volunteers who supported the event in so many ways, with a special thank you going out to the Garage Sale organizing committee and to all the workplaces who participated by collecting items and running their own booths. The results are outstanding, and United Way is pleased to announce that by popular demand, Winnipeg's Biggest Garage Sale will most certainly be back next year.

Thank you, Winnipeg. Without you, there would be no way.

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