Donations needed for museum fundraiser

Penny Holbrook has spent the past week zipping around in her Toyota to the homes of friends and neighbors.

She's been picking up items for the Really Big Sale, a fundraiser for the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. July 8.

Donations are still being sought.

"People are always waiting for us when we get here (Saturday morning)," Holbrook said. "And they like the stuff. We've had some really good stuff over the years."

Every year, Holbrook, who has volunteered at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada for six years, goes out of her way to make the sale a huge success.

"If you know me, you hate me," she said.

That's because - friend or neighbor - she's probably been by your home. Your slow cooker, copper bird bath and knife-sharpener have already made it into her car and into the rooms of growing items that will be tagged next week for the Really Big Sale.

The yard sale is held annually and, although not the largest fundraiser, does create revenue of about $3,000 for the museum, which receives its other funding through grants and memberships.

The Children's Museum is one of two children's museums in the state. The other is the Lied Discovery Children's Museum in Las Vegas.

Staff members hope more people will drop off items to sell. All items are tax-deductible and receipts will be given at drop-off time.

"We're grateful for anything we get," Holbrook said.

Golf clubs, a wine rack, dish settings, tools, a curio cabinet, strollers and many baby items are among donations already accepted.

"A lot of moms who visit the museum donate," said Erin Lehman, interim executive director. "They're doing their spring cleaning and bringing in some of the stuff they want to get rid of."

The rummage sale will be set up in the front of the museum, along the sidewalk and in part of the parking lot. The museum will be accessible with the admission fee. Snacks and drinks sold will be sold inside.

"The proceeds that we raise from the sale go directly to the museum to help benefit the activities and the programs we have here," Lehman said.

• Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.