SUN CITY – Betty Barnett, N.22, is asking for residents to donate things both old and fresh in an effort to help animals in need.
Anderson Animal Shelter in Elgin is collecting used jewelry, handbags, and dog clothes through the summer and will sell the pieces on September 7 and 8 at the American Legion Hall at 22 South Second St. in Geneva. The sale runs in tandem with Geneva’s Festival of the Vine.
“What you find, though, in many cases, is we older people give our jewelry to our grandchildren to play with,” Barnett said. “So sometimes you hate to not give it to the grandchild, but this is certainly a worthy cause.”
Sun City residents can drop off their jewelry at Barnett’s home, located at 12662 Rock Island trail. Those who donate jewelry will receive a 25 percent discount at the sale.
A baker herself, Barnett is also seeking baked goods from residents to sell alongside the jewelry as part of an accompanying bake sale.
“When they contact me, what I usually try to do is make sure that I’m not getting 50 percent brownies and 50 percent chocolate chip cookies, but pies, cookies, brownies, cakes, coffee cakes – whatever is their specialty,” she said.
The sale is the biggest fundraising event Anderson hosts. Last year, sales brought in $21,000 to the shelter. The jewelry that does not get sold at the festival is sold at the shelter’s annual gala in November. The money raised goes to provide basic needs for animals at the shelter, like food, medical care, and spaying or neutering.
Contact Betty Barnett
12662 Rock Island Trail
224-569-6755
betty12662@sbcglobal.net
Anderson Animal Shelter
1000 S. La Fox Rd.
South Elgin, IL 60177
847-697-2880
www.andersonanimalshelter.org
“It’s truly a wonderful event; it’s organized so well. I’m hoping I can get people from Sun City to also attend the event,” Barnett said of the sale.
Anderson Animal Shelter accepts contributions throughout the year, and volunteers with the shelter encouraged those who don’t have jewelry to give other supplies or cash. More information on the shelter’s needs can be found at their website, andersonanimalshelter.org.