Published: November 05, 2009 11:16 am      

Garage sale to benefit elderly

By Randy Mitchell

Staff Writer



ADA — A huge garage sale Saturday, Nov. 7, will benefit a local organization dedicated to helping the elderly.

The sale will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, inside the Westminster Center, 301 E. Kings Road.

Proceeds will go to the Ada Senior Care Center which is currently located in the church.

“Ada Senior Care Center is a not for profit community service agency that cares for elderly and incapacitated people who are at risk for nursing home placement,” said Donna Bennett Rodebush, executive director.

Rodebush said the quality of the donations they’ve received so far has been outstanding.

“We have been unloading pickups, trailers and cars all week with some really, really nice furniture, appliances clothing and household items,” Rodebush said. “I just unloaded a brand new fiber optic Christmas tree, dishes, rolling luggage and a box of nice leather purses.”

Rodebush said the center started with a DHS start up grant in 1988 at Central Church Of Christ then moved to The First Presbyterian Church in 1995.

“The center has been in non stop operation for 21 years,” Rodebush said. “The agency operates with licensed nurses and activity professionals and cares for up to 16 people per day, 5 days per week — only closing for major holidays so that families can depend and rely on the service.”

But the center has fallen on hard times due to the economy and state funding cuts and has been operating on reserve funds all of 2009.

“We feel really fortunate to have been able to reserve some money for hard times like these, but that reserve money is running out,” Rodebush said. “We know that the economy is hard on everyone. That’s why our board of directors has decided to try to raise money by having a massive rummage sale.

“Our supporters can get rid of stuff they don’t need and turn around and buy stuff they do need - and it all goes towards keeping this needed service in Ada.”