This is a story I wrote for my news writing class this summer. It's not the best thing I've ever written, but i figured I'd put SOMETHING up on here for now.
Garage Sales: An American Tradition
As summer weather finally hits the northwest, another summer tradition kicks into gear as people throughout America attempt to clear the clutter with garage sales.
So many people have participated in this summer tradition; it seems to have become a staple in American springs and summers. Almost every weekend, you will find new signs and posters on major intersections advertising for new sales.
Lena Harrington, a student at Western Washington University who recently moved to a new home in Bellingham, posted cardboard signs at each end of her road to try to attract potential buyers to take away her surplus of clothing, furniture, and other miscellaneous items.
Andrea Bjazevich, also of Bellingham, used colorful poster board and cardboard boxes to attract people to her garage sale. She was attempting to get rid of her old toys and clothes so she could buy newer toys. When asked what she would do with the things she didn’t sell, she said “I’ll probably give stuff to my friends, or donate it to Value Village.”
Vera Henychova was visiting Bjazevich from the Czech Republic and helping with the garage sale that day. When asked if they have garage sales in the Czech Republic, she said, “No. [Garage sales are] very American.” Henychova said that in her country, when people have too many things, they donate them to charities.
While many who hold garage sales do first attempt to sell their items, most donate what they do not sell to organizations such as Value Village, the Goodwill, or the Salvation Army.
Donation seemed to be the case with both Bjazevich and Harrington, as neither sold as much as they hoped, nor made much money, averaging about a hundred dollars for each sale.
The Goodwill website says that its organization is about bettering communities, through jobs in their stores, to turning the profit from their stores to provide educational classes for community members.
Items that the goodwill receives come, in part, from garage sales, but also receive items from people who do not want to go through the trouble of planning and executing a garage sale.
Many people can be found “bargain hunting” as a weekend activity- going from sale to sale to see what they can find. This can be a great solution for college students.
Russell Ritchie, also a Western Washington University student of Bellingham, said “You can find some really good deals at garage sales […] a lot of people practically give away stuff that you would have to spend a fortune to buy new.” Ritchie said that he has found furniture, dishes, televisions, and clothing at garage sales.
Whether you’re trying to get rid of the dozens of sweaters that you never wear anymore, or looking for some bargains, everyone can benefit from garage sales. Sunshine and hot weather seem to go hand in hand with garage sales, and it seems that this American tradition is here to stay.
Ali
bookgirl2005@gmail.com
Garage Sales: An American Tradition
As summer weather finally hits the northwest, another summer tradition kicks into gear as people throughout America attempt to clear the clutter with garage sales.
So many people have participated in this summer tradition; it seems to have become a staple in American springs and summers. Almost every weekend, you will find new signs and posters on major intersections advertising for new sales.
Lena Harrington, a student at Western Washington University who recently moved to a new home in Bellingham, posted cardboard signs at each end of her road to try to attract potential buyers to take away her surplus of clothing, furniture, and other miscellaneous items.
Andrea Bjazevich, also of Bellingham, used colorful poster board and cardboard boxes to attract people to her garage sale. She was attempting to get rid of her old toys and clothes so she could buy newer toys. When asked what she would do with the things she didn’t sell, she said “I’ll probably give stuff to my friends, or donate it to Value Village.”
Vera Henychova was visiting Bjazevich from the Czech Republic and helping with the garage sale that day. When asked if they have garage sales in the Czech Republic, she said, “No. [Garage sales are] very American.” Henychova said that in her country, when people have too many things, they donate them to charities.
While many who hold garage sales do first attempt to sell their items, most donate what they do not sell to organizations such as Value Village, the Goodwill, or the Salvation Army.
Donation seemed to be the case with both Bjazevich and Harrington, as neither sold as much as they hoped, nor made much money, averaging about a hundred dollars for each sale.
The Goodwill website says that its organization is about bettering communities, through jobs in their stores, to turning the profit from their stores to provide educational classes for community members.
Items that the goodwill receives come, in part, from garage sales, but also receive items from people who do not want to go through the trouble of planning and executing a garage sale.
Many people can be found “bargain hunting” as a weekend activity- going from sale to sale to see what they can find. This can be a great solution for college students.
Russell Ritchie, also a Western Washington University student of Bellingham, said “You can find some really good deals at garage sales […] a lot of people practically give away stuff that you would have to spend a fortune to buy new.” Ritchie said that he has found furniture, dishes, televisions, and clothing at garage sales.
Whether you’re trying to get rid of the dozens of sweaters that you never wear anymore, or looking for some bargains, everyone can benefit from garage sales. Sunshine and hot weather seem to go hand in hand with garage sales, and it seems that this American tradition is here to stay.
Ali
bookgirl2005@gmail.com
Hey, my names Andrea Bjazevich and I found this when I typed my name in to google! Although I don't remember being interviewed for this I remember having family garage sales. Really cool blast to the past.