The Winona State University Children’s Center is holding a garage sale to bring together the community, support early literacy, and raise money for the children’s center. The event will take place on April 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Helble Atrium in Education Village.
Cassie Stratton, the director of the WSU Children’s Center, is helping organize the event in conjunction with the Family Alliance, which functions like a PTO for parents of children at the children’s center. Stratton is in charge of taking care of internal logistics like how to collect and store items and well as prepare for the event. She is also organizing volunteers who will help set up, work the event and clean it up.
“The purpose of the garage sale is to provide resources that families in our community may need to support their young children, while also fundraising for the Center,” Stratton says. She notes that the proceeds from the event will go toward future special projects at the children’s center, like purchasing a new dishwasher or replacing necessary furniture in classrooms.
This event is in partnership with the WSU Student International Literacy Association (SILA) who are holding their annual free book giveaway at the same time. Bella Haeg, a third-year student majoring in Elementary Education, is the student co-president of SILA. “The overall goal of our club is to foster a love of reading and provide meaningful learning opportunities for teacher candidates and reading enthusiasts to engage with and give back to the community,” Haeg says. “I hope the turnout is strong and that families feel supported and encouraged to engage with both the children’s center and the university.”
Rebecca Sims, the assistant director of student activities, was the one to get SILA and the Children’s Center to collaborate on this event. “I heard the WSU Children’s Center was interested in creating a fundraising activity, and I knew SILA hosted an annual book give-away event in Helble Hall. It seemed like a natural fit to connect the two organizations to make a large impactful event. My role allows me a unique opportunity to connect folks who may benefit from new partnerships and shared resources,” Sims says.
Stratton also adds that this event is an important way for the Education program at Winona State to get more visibility. “This is a great way to bring people into Education Village and show them a window into the wonderful things that are happening here that make a difference in the greater Winona community,” Stratton notes. She hopes that the community will be positively impacted by Winona State and the Education program.
This event will be accepting donations of gently used children’s items (clothing, toys, books, puzzles) starting the week of April 13th. Items can be dropped off in the entryway of Doors 2 and 7 at Donna J. Helble Hall. Any questions can be directed to the children’s center at (507) 457-2300; option 1.
