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Rummage To Cure in Santa Barbara Raises $3,400 for The GSF

Santa Barbara's Rummage To Cure was a HUGE success and Team Gwendolyn ROCKS! Yep, they are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! And Saturday's sale was another example of their awesomeness. So many in the community got involved. So many made this a success. And we are so, so grateful. And… $3,400 was raised for The GSF!

This was the first year we hosted a Rummage To Cure sale in SB and over the last few months we have been collecting items, coming home to wonderful donations on our porch, getting emails from friends who had car loads of things for us. And this week, when we took everything out of our garage to sort and tag, we were simply overwhelmed by the amount of treasures that had been collected. We knew it was a lot, but wow — hundreds and hundreds of items! So amazing.

On the day of the sale, we got up bright and early and met Team Gwendolyn at Trinity Church to set up. Everyone was so enthusiastic and with their help and muscle it was all organized and so positive. A GIGANTIC THANK YOU to: Chris and Laurie Stone, Todd and Ronda Fallon, Bryce and Jeannie Wendel, Daalia Reynolds, Marina Delio, Eriko MacDonald, Tia Thompson, Elena Sherman, Terri Anton, Jessica Blazer and Gramma Ellen. Thank you so, so much for volunteering your time, working your bum off, negotiating sales, and smiling through the whole thing. I have to say it was such an amazing feeling to step back, hear our friends teaching new people about SMA (so well spoken and accurate), and see how a simple rummage sale can turn into an event that raises $3,400! Wow! Wow! Wow! We couldn't have done this without you!!!

We also want to thank Yummy Mummy and friends for contributing your delicious baked goods to the sale. They were a huge hit and people donated generously because of them. Thank you Burger Bus for being part of the day, providing your fabulous cuisine, and getting the word out about our cause. And thank you Trinity Episcopal Church for allowing us to host the sale on your amazing grounds, being so supportive and helpful, and cheering us on throughout the day. Thank you to the hundreds of people who donated items — from baby clothes to baby gear, golf clubs to dishes — especially to all the wonderful PEP parents for supporting us so much and for spreading the word. And an enormous thank you to Ronda Fallon for rallying the troops and making most of these fabulous donations happen! Thank you to the hundreds of people who shopped, bought a cookie or a cupcake, and donated a bit extra! Thank you to Gramma Ellen whose rummage sale in LA was the very first fundraiser for The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation and she hasn't stopped since! And a huge thank you to Team Gwendolyn — you all are simply incredible and made everything not only successful, but fun in the process!!! You all helped create an incredible day! Woohoo! $3,400!

And… Rummage to Cure in Fresno is in full collection mode right now. Yep, another one! The awesome company ReadGive is organizing this event in honor of Hayden Calafiore. If you would like to contribute items, please contact Andrea. Fresno, prepare to get your rummage on!