By Lida Vang

For the Salisbury Post

Every year for the last 12 years, Helen Brown has held a biannual yard sale ― one in May and one in October — to benefit research for cystic fibrosis. This spring’s sale, which starts Friday, seems to be special, reaching people outside of the country.

According to Brown, with the help of the Internet, her yard sales have become international, with donations coming from as far away as Bremen, Germany. The Browns recently reconnected with a friend in Bremen who stayed with them 39 years ago. She donated books to be sold in the yard sale.

Brown began the yard sales when her grandchildren were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Now those grandchildren have been doing well, attending Appalachian State University and getting married.

Last month, Brown and her husband returned home to find that they were being robbed. The robbers demanded money, pointing a gun at Brown’s husband. When her husband said they did not have any money, one of the robbers found approximately $300. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the robbers got away with money that would have gone to help fund cystic fibrosis research.

Despite the robbery, the Browns still plan to hold this year’s sale.  In addition to becoming international, this spring’s sale will receive a visit from a representative of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Raleigh. All proceeds from Brown’s yard sales have all gone to the CF Foundation.

Since the robbery last month, the Browns have had more support, they have said, and they plan to  continue to hold the yard sales as long as they can.

Brown will have at least 25 volunteers helping her with this weekend’s yard sale and hopes to reach her goal of $10,000 for cystic fibrosis research.

The yard sale will be held on Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1621 Emerald St., with a one-way entry from Mahaley Avenue.

In appreciation of support, anyone who comes can register in a drawing to win a Bob Timberlake print. The drawing will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday and registrants do not need to be present to win.

Lida Vang is a student at Rowan County Early College and an intern at the Salisbury Post.