By Shavonne Potts and Kierra Perry
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — For her 83rd birthday, Jane Safrit had lunch in downtown Salisbury with her daughter, Jackie Null, and then they did some shopping.
Mother and daughter shopped at a place they discovered last year: Helen Brown’s yard sale. The sale, which benefits cystic fibrosis has been going on for about 18 years.
Brown, of Salisbury, began the sale when her grandchildren, Anna and Michael Johnson, were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and the digestive system.
The sale began Friday and will continue today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Brown’s 1621 Emerald Ave. home.
Brown will hold her second sale of the year in October.
“I just came out to look and see if anything catches my eye,” Safrit said.
She said there’s a lot of good items and “it goes for something good.”
All of the money raised goes to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for research.
Null said she was just there for the fun of it.
“There’s so many hidden treasures and for such a good cause,” she said.
Brown, who usually sets a goal each year, doesn’t have one this time.
“It’s open-ended,” she said.
She had a great first day.
“We’ve sold a lot of stuff. We’ve had great support today,” Brown said.
Linda Headley has been a customer at Brown’s annual yard sale since its first year.
Headley says she will come back today because people still bring items in after the yard sale starts.
Brown has said even on days of the sale, people bring in items to donate.
Headley said she had been shopping for two hours but had not been looking for anything specific.
Frances Holloway of Kannapolis made her way to the sale at 8 a.m. She was not looking for any particular items but found some books she liked. She has been attending the sale since 2010.
Hans Craig of Mocksville is also a repeat customer. He’s been attending the sales for about three years.
Craig said he shops at yard sales, estate sales and benefit sales every other weekend.
He was on the hunt for antique appliances and the odd find.
“You can’t beat the prices. They’re always reasonable,” he said.
Melody Moxley attends the sale each year.
“I like yard sales, especially if its nonprofit,” she said.
The Salisbury resident likes the hunt for a gem.
“It’s an adventure. You never know what you’ll find. It’s sort of treasure hunting,” Moxley said.
Manie Richardson has been attending the sale for the past six years and shops “just to donate” to Brown’s cause.
Some people started out as customers and became volunteers, including longtime volunteer Jennifer Totten.
Totten also considers herself a friend. She has known Brown for about 10 years.
“One day Helen just called me up, and I have been donating ever since,” Totten said.
When asked what was special about the event, she said seeing all the volunteers and customers.
After four to five years as a customer, Tessa Jackson had also been asked to volunteer. This is her first year volunteering. She had been setting up for the sale since 7:30 Friday morning.
What she enjoys most about the sale is the variety of items available.
The Salisbury resident took the day off just to volunteer. She was surprised by the number of people who stopped by on Friday.
Brown’s youngest granddaughter will have a bake sale during today’s event with the proceeds going to cystic fibrosis research.
In appreciation for support, Brown will also raffle off a print by Lexington artist Bob Timberlake. The drawing will be held at 3 p.m. today. Registrants do not have to be present to win.
Emerald Avenue runs between Mahaley Avenue and Catawba Road, one block from Knox Middle School.
During the yard sale, Emerald Street has been made one way. Motorists will enter through Mahaley Avenue and exit off Catawba Road.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.