A resident at a retirement community has inspired others to open their closets and cupboards for items to sell at a giant yard sale to help Ukrainian families who have moved into the region.
It all started when Lea Shaw moved into Parkwood Place, a retirement home on Shelbourne Street, this year. The self-described neat freak decided it was time to declutter after moving from a larger residence.
Shaw, the last owner of The China Cupboard on Oak Bay Avenue before it closed, is parting with treasured household items, including a life-like porcelain Siamese cat that is more than 40 years old, to help the new Ukrainian arrivals.
“They have all come to Canada with nothing and I wanted to help somehow,” said Shaw, 95.
When word got out, the majority of the retirement home’s 74 residents enthusiastically pitched in to help as well.
“Everybody wanted to make a difference,” said Cheryl Chalifour, executive director of Parkwood Place.
“The event has gathered momentum and now there are literally hundreds of items — from household items, to clothing, linens, decorations and more.”
Staff at the home are helping as well, collecting items from residents, arranging for transportation and setting up a barbecue on the day of the sale, and selling hot dogs and chips by donation.
All the money raised will be donated to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Nicholas to benefit new families arriving in Canada from Ukraine. Any unsold items will first be offered to the new families for their new homes, with the remainder donated to Women In Need thrift stores.
The yard sale runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Parkwood Place, 3051 Shelbourne St.
