Cool Kids community sales help Katrina's kids

Within weeks of hosting CAN-imals on Parade, a regional sculpting contest/food drive which raised more than 12,000 non-perishable items for local food shelves, the "cool community" of families, kids, agencies and family-focused events-goers in several counties are sending a "Wave of Love" to the Gulf Coast survivors in the form of two community garage sales.

As the news poured in about Katrina, so did the e-mails and phone calls from the Cool Kids community. "They're asking what we're all asking," said Steve Appleton, Cook Kids director. "Writing a check is good, but they want to know 'What can I do?' " Appleton said he noticed many other families had a second dilemma - deep pocket hearts but no deep pockets.

"Many Cool Kids families have one eye on the tragedy in the Gulf, and another eye on the rising prices of gas and heating oil," Appleton said. Simultaneously, major charities are asking for cash donations only. "Our message is: No Cash? Give Hope. Share what you have. Clean your closets. Give stuff, give time. And Cool Kids has not one, but two 'Cool Kids Community Sales for Katrina's Kids.' "

The goal is to raise $3,000 for survivors.

Both sales are one-day only. Both are accepting donations by drop-off only at the sale site on the day of the sale, 100 percent of funds raised will be donated to Gulf Coast victims.

The first sale is on Sunday, September 18 at Hafner Park, off Route 19, just north of Route 104. Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Set up/drop off all donations from 8 to 10 a.m. The second sale is on Saturday, October 8 at Lori's Natural Foods, 900 Jefferson Road, Henrietta. Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Set up/drop off all donations from 8 to 10 a.m. Lori's specifically requests no early drop-offs as they have no storage.

Donations of toys, clothes, collectibles, brick-a-brack, baked goods, plants, craft items, household, leftover yard/rummage sale stuff, are being sought. Volunteers are needed to set up, tear down, cashiers and sales people. Other fundraising activities that volunteers can coordinate on sale day, or leading up to those days are also needed including: inflatable kids games, raffles, art auctions, contests, pop can returnable collections/drive coordinator, baked goods sales coordinator, face painters/balloon artists, etc. Tables and bags are also needed the day of the sales.

"Our goal is to raise $3,000. Together we can help a lot of families in the Gulf Coast," Appleton said. "Bring the kids. There should be lots of fun for them there. It will be a great education, and we need their help too."

For information call The Cool Hotline at 637-3984 or coolkids@rochester.rr.com or check the website at www.generationcool.biz.