The Medical Guild Rummage Sale is upon us, this October 5th from 8 to 5 and 6th from 9 to 4. We all look forward to the opportunity to clean out our closets for a good cause, pick up a few odds and ends at a good price, and indulge in a half dozen or so slices of pie at the pie counter. My first year in Big Sandy, my daughter and I ate 18 slices of pie at the pie counter and have looked forward to the event every year since. Though in the years that have followed, I’ve discovered another, bigger reason to appreciate the Guild Sale: It’s an opportunity to support the Medical Guild in its work.

In my 5 years living and working in Big Sandy, I’ve grown to appreciate the Medical Center more and more. I’ve always appreciated the convenience and quality of care we’ve received at the ER and clinic. In addition, seniors in our community who go into assisted living are blessed to have a clean and caring facility that makes it possible for them to live in their home town long after they are no longer able to live in their own homes. A sick kid doesn’t require a drive to Havre for care. Instead, we simply travel the half mile to the clinic. Across the board, the Medical Center is a blessing on the folks that live in Big Sandy. I believe part of what makes it such a great resource is the support of the community. Big Sandy is great at rallying to make sure that the things we believe in are successful. The Medical Center has benefited from our town’s character trait in all sorts of ways, especially the generous support folks have provided through the Medical Guild. In the past, the Medical Guild has purchased hospital beds, a microscope for the lab, and other equipment that improves the quality of care they provide to our families and our seniors. On the residential side of the facility, the guild has purchased patio furniture, couches, and flowers to make the facility more homey for the clients. Kitchen equipment, including a double-walled oven and a Kitchen-Aid mixer, has helped improve meal service. In total, the Guild has contributed over $250,000 to the Medical Center in the form of various purchases. Through the hard work of the Medical Guild, volunteers and the support of all of us, the Medical Center is a better place for our seniors and our families. It’s something we should all be proud of.

One of the major fund raising efforts the Guild puts on is the Annual Rummage Sale, which is coming up on October 5th from 8 to 5 and 6th from 9 AM until the raffle begins at 3. After the raffle cleanup will take place. The money raised is used exclusively for improving the lives of the residents and the care provided by the clinic. There are several ways to pitch in.

There’s always a need for volunteers to help with setup and tear down. It’s a lot of work to sort donations, organize them on tables, price them, man the sale for two days, and then clean up afterward. Every little bit of volunteer time helps, whether it’s all 5 days or an hour one afternoon. Pulling off a successful rummage sale is the product of everyone’s efforts. In addition, the rummage sale needs stuff to sell. It’s a good opportunity to clean out your house and donate to support a facility that makes all our lives better. Donations of clothes, books, housewares, toys, etc. can be dropped off at the Jerry Martin Memorial Hall on October 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Donations can be made from 9 AM to 4 PM on Monday & Tuesday and 9 AM until 12 PM on Wednesday. If your donations are too large or bulky for you to move yourself, we can pick it up. Call Amy Sibra at 378-2490 or Reggie Jappe at 378-2151 to schedule a pickup. Or, you can show off your baking skills by donating a pie to the pie counter.

Finally, you can support the Guild’s efforts by shopping at the Rummage Sale, buying a raffle ticket at the sale or the bank, or stopping in to eat pie at the pie counter.