Veterans of the sale say expect a big line-up outside before the doors open. Aside from being a bargain hunter's dream, the sale has long served the tradition of giving back funds to the community of Williston.
This year, the sale's namesake, Mercy Medical Center, will be the main recipient.
Kathy Bingeman, Steve Slocum, and Leslie Sullivan, all members of the Healthy Williston, Healthy Youth Coalition, remind residents it's not too late to donate new, or gently used teen/children's clothing, furniture, good sporting goods and exercise equipment, office items and small electrical items, specialty crafts, gift certificates and other items of interest to the sale. The trio help serve as the marketing arm of the sale through HWHY.
To date, the annual project has accumulatively raised $448,782 in the past 17 years, an average of $22,000 each year. Among the past recipients are the Mercy Rider Program, Harmon Park Pool, United Way agencies, Family Recovery Home, the cancer treatment center, Region 1 Children's Services, Porky's Teen Center, Williston Sea Lions, Williston Volunteer Fire Department, Agri-Sports Complex, Western Star Gymnastics, Boys Baseball Program, Teton Booster Club, Healthy Williston, Healthy Youth and the Williston Skating Club.
In March, Mercy Medical Center sold its wellness center in part of an effort to recover from an annual deficit of $3 million. It also has taken multiple other steps to remedy the red ink.
Sullivan also works in marketing for Mercy. She said the proceeds will be used for an equipment purchase at the local hospital.
"It will be something to help the patients," she said.
"Because of the changes that were happening with Mercy, the Greater Coalition of Healthy Williston, Healthy Youth felt it was important to show support for Mercy as Mercy has shown support for the Community Sale for the last 17 years," said Bingeman.
The HWHY organizers said its mission is to create assets for young people here. They reasoned health care is a critical asset to families, and that's why Mercy was named the 2008 recipient.
"Part of the proceeds from this year's sales also goes to help Healthy Williston, Healthy Youth," said Bingeman. "These in turn are granted out to youth-oriented organizations."
Mercy has been involved with helping facilitate the sale over the last 17 years, but recently gave the reins to HWHY.
"Mercy always is one of the working arms of the community sale. There are always Mercy employees helping facilitate the sale," Sullivan said. "That's how it originated in becoming the Mercy Community Sale. With the upcoming of the Healthy Williston, Healthy Youth program, it was a logical transition for them to become the administrator of the program, and Mercy Medical Center is a branch to help facilitate the sale."
Slocum credited former Mercy Foundation Director Lynn Borrud with starting the project several years ago as a function of the hospital. They credit many past recipients of the Mercy Sale to pitching for this year's event to return the favor to the organization that gave so much.
Slocum sees it as a gesture of appreciation to the hospital organization that has helped raise money for so many causes. It may not be a big dent in the hospital's financial problems, but it is something.
"Some $30,000 going to a gymnastics program is a huge shot in the arm. Some $30,000 into Mercy's operating capital, is not much. It's the fact that all these past recipients have joined together to show support for this core facility and institution in Williston, to help them over this hurdle," Slocum said.
The sale also serves as an ideal way to meet up with people.
"It's a real win-win," Sullivan said. "It's a great opportunity to come in and view piles of items that of been brought in, because of how big the sale can be. It's really a social event for the year."
Caramel rolls, Jack and Jewels meals, American State Bank's mini donuts and baked good donations are among the fares that shoppers can sample.
"Concessions open at 7:30 a.m. and the doors open at 8 a.m. The rummage sale and silent auction open at 8 a.m. At 10 a.m. the live auction starts. Raffle sale tickets are all day until 3 p.m. Everything should be done three in the afternoon," Bingeman said. Slocum likened it to a three-ring circus between the live auction, silent auction and rummage, but it's fun.
"You're not waiting for anything," he said.
Multiple new and gently used items will go up for sale in the live and silent auction events. Shoppers may find they are in for a good deal, but also know they are giving to a good cause.
"I think the largest thing about the Mercy Community Sale it is community-centered. And yet, what a great purpose to share them with some organization that may be struggling and needing a bit of extra help," said Sullivan.
In the live auction multiple items go to sale for bidders. Check the posters around the community to see what's available.
Silent auction items include jewelry, sterling silver flatware, homemade decorations, beauty items, a dollhouse collection, tax preparation gift certificates, hand-embroidered dish towels, theme basket sets, car care baskets, gold eagle coins from the bank, bird houses, vacation baskets, gift certificates and an oak end table.
Those buying raffle tickets could be eligible to win a washer/dryer, a large plasma high-definition television set or a grill set.
"There are so many things to work with. It's unbelievable the number of items," Slocum said. "There an opportunity of so many items you never get an opportunity to buy."
To donate an item to one of the auctions to be picked up or to offer your volunteer time for the project, call 774-7404 or 774-7417.
They ask that large, older appliances, damaged pianos, obsolete computer parts and adult clothes not be donated to the sale.
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