Features

Clean Out For Kids

Written by Marketplace

By Christine A. Krahling

Spring seems to be synonymous with cleaning whether it’s the neglected attic or basement that needs our attention or spare closets and toy boxes. It’s safe to say that almost everyone has a collection of clutter that they can easily live without. With shows like the Style Network’s “Clean House,” the nation is getting a chance to see what happens when clutter gets out of hand and it’s not pretty. Take a look at what’s lurking in your basement: maybe it’s a collection of kitchen gadgets (hello, juicers, woks and bread machines!) that you swore you had to have or the treadmill-turned-coat-rack that’s been sitting idle since the 80s. It may even be the baby clothes you’re saving, “just in case.”

This season, “spring cleaning” takes on a whole new meaning for Valley Youth House as they prepare for their first annual community yard sale and auction, aptly titled “Clean Out for Kids.” Created in partnership with Wells Fargo Advisors and several other business and community leaders in the Lehigh Valley, this daylong event will take place on Saturday, June 26 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., rain or shine, at Camp Fowler in Orefield, Pa. Vendors—including local artists—will also have their works for sale at this event. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Youth Education Program of Valley Youth House. (Lehigh Valley Marketplace is proud to be among those sponsoring this event.)

Clean Out for Kids was inspired by a desire to make a difference in the lives of all children and is in line with the main principle of Valley Youth House, which is that “every child deserves a chance.” Founded in 1973, Valley Youth House firmly believes that by providing prevention and intervention services, counseling, life skills and behavioral health services to abused, neglected and homeless youth and their families, they can foster positive growth while enabling at risk youth and their families to become healthy, productive, responsible members of the community. During 2009, more than 12,000 children and families benefited from these services which resulted in new opportunities for successful living.

Generous support from the community allows Valley Youth House to expand its ability to serve. There are many ways that you can help make Clean Out for Kids a Success, including:

• Purchasing space in the yard sale (individuals selling gently used items)

• Purchasing space in the marketplace (vendors looking to sell goods)

• Donating items to the auction

• Sponsorship opportunities

• Making a monetary contribution

So, come on, take a deep breath and get ready to tackle that clutter for a good cause. Get your children involved. They’ll feel good knowing that by parting with the things they’ve outgrown– and donating them to Clean Out for Kids–they will help make a difference in the lives of other children with similar interests who are limited not by imagination but by circumstance.

To volunteer for this event call 610-820-0166 or email development@valleyyouthhouse.org.

For more information, see the “Clean Out for Kids” advertisement on page 73 along with additional information on our Corkboard page and at cleanoutforkids.org.