The Junior League of Lee County invites the community to find a great bargain while helping an even greater cause this April.
The JLLC’s annual Spring Market will be Saturday, April 11, from 7 a.m. to noon at USA Town Center in Opelika — behind Cracker Barrel — and all proceeds will benefit the JLLC’s efforts to promote health and wellness among children in Lee County. Previously known as the Junior League Rummage Sale and held at the former Johnson Galleries building in Opelika, the event will feature new and gently used furniture, housewares , kids’ and adults’ clothing, toys and more items that have been donated and collected throughout the year.
“We take donations from League members, from the community, from different businesses in the community,” said Ashley Stewart, JLLC Spring Market co-chair, adding that businesses such as The Clothes Rack, New Leaf Consignment and Frou Frou donated items to the sale last year. “We have a lot of furniture — a lot of really nice furniture — and some antiques this year.”
The Spring Market will also host vendors such as Scentsy, Pampered Chef, Usborne Books and more, as well as local artists and craftsmen.
“Our crafters, they’re really creative and have beautiful wares to sell,” Stewart said.
An earlybird sale will start at 6 a.m. on April 11 and will cost $5 to enter before the regular sale, which is free to enter, starts at 7 a.m. Items remaining at the end of the sale will be donated to local thrift stores.
“So it’s a win-win in all aspects of the sale, I believe,” Stewart said. “We’re helping the community get rid of things and clear clutter from their homes, but helping others who want a great deal on some great items and making money for the children of Lee County , and what’s left over, donating it to the thrift stores so they can make money, too.”
The JLLC’s main benefactor is the weekend Backpack Program, for which the JLLC helps feed 305 children across 10 schools in Lee County who come from food-insecure homes.
League members meet once a month to pack backpacks with food provided by the Food Bank of East Alabama . The backpacks are then sent home with children before the start of the weekend throughout the school year.
“We always include a little handwritten note of encouragement telling the kids just some kind of encouragement — ‘Have a great day,’ ‘You’re special,’” Stewart explained.
Meg Beard, also a co-chair for the Spring Market event, relayed the organization’s mission.
“Our goal is to improve the health and wellness of our children in Lee County and also promote volunteerism and leadership among women,” Beard said.
The JLLC will continue accepting vendor applications through March 14.
Stewart expressed appreciation to Victor Vance for donating the space in which to hold the Spring Market.
“I think definitely, it helps the well-being, health and wellness of children in our community, but also there’s something in it for the people,” Stewart said. “They can come out and get a great deal on some really neat items, so not only are they giving back, they’re getting something back in return.”
Visit www.juniorleagueofleecounty.com for more information.
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