Donation drive pivots to rummage sale to aid flood victims
Jul. 23—WORTHINGTON — About a month after two Worthington women began a collection drive to help area residents impacted by flooding, the drive is wrapping up this week with a colossal clothing rummage sale.
Lisa Schutte and Susanne Murphy were overwhelmed by the generosity of others who donated everything from cleaning supplies and clothing to personal hygiene products and items one might need to start over after the flood waters receded.
After delivering nearly 17,000 pounds of cleaning supplies and personal care products to help flood victims in Windom, Jackson, Heron Lake and Worthington, as well as the northwest Iowa communities of Spencer and Rock Valley, the women — who collaborated with the Worthington Area Christian Ministerial Association in Neighbors Helping Neighbors — are making one final push in the response. All of the proceeds from this week's rummage sale will be given to the Rock Valley Library, which lost its entire collection due to the flood.
The rummage sale will open from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday for a "First Dibs" event in which all clothing will be sold for $5 per bag. On Friday, the sale runs from 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., with all clothing you can fit in the bag for just $5 per bag. Clean-up day is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, with shoppers getting a two-for-one deal — two bags of clothing for $5. The event is set up in McCarvel Hall (4-H food stand building) on the Nobles County Fairgrounds in Worthington.
In addition to the clothing, there will be some household items and pet-related products. Up through last weekend, local flood victims were stopping by to get needed supplies, Schutte said.
"Our last (delivery) was Friday morning — that was our last load to Rock Valley," she said. "We also have more cleaning supplies and Heron Lake and Windom are accepting them, so we'll be making more runs there."
None of the communities are accepting clothing donations, she added.
The women are appreciative of all of the donations that were made. Because of local individuals and businesses, they were able to deliver such items as bleach, vinegar, dish soap, mops, brooms, personal care products (three dentists — Worthington Dental, Friendly Dental and Adrian Dental — donated toothbrush kits that included paste, brush and floss), diapers, bedding and more to the communities and people who needed it.
Wyffels Hybrids, Runnings and TSC donated a combined 450 5-gallon buckets, which were filled with cleaning and personal care supplies for flood victims, and TSC donated a pallet each of dog and cat food, with the pet food poured into 5-gallon buckets for distribution.
"We never ever dreamed we would be able to help this many people," shared Murphy. "Kindness and sharing is therapeutic for me — that's what fills my heart.
"This was probably God's way of using us as a tool," she added. "It helped me as much as it helped them, I think."
"It's just rewarding and satisfying to help other people and give what we can," added Schutte. "It makes us happy to see other people happy and appreciate the little things."
The women couldn't do it all alone, and offered their appreciation for all of the volunteers who helped, and the strength of the Worthington High School football team who helped load trucks and trailers with supplies for the flooded communities.
People who would still like to help can do so with a financial gift. Living Waters Covenant Church is spearheading that effort. Tax-deductible donations may be dropped off at the church, 1645 South Shore Dr., Worthington. The funds are used to purchase gift cards for food and gas for flood victims.
