Find out why Green Lents hosts this annual neighborhood-wide outer East Portland event …
During this year’s “Green Lents Neighborhood Garage Sale”, neighbor Lacey Bronson gets a “Bingo Card” sticker after stopping by the garage sale home of Rebecca Schraffenberger, who is selling her cute hand-made soy candles.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Signs announcing yard sales were all over the Lents neighborhood on July 7, inviting folks to stop and shop at area homes that day.
“This is the second year we’ve been hosting the Green Lents Neighborhood Garage Sale,” remarked Green Lents Board Member Nicole Leaper – as she redeemed event maps’ “bingo cards”, on which participants to marked where they visited as they went out shopping that day.
“The idea came about because we wanted to have an event that would promote neighborhood involvement, especially one involving reusing items instead of throwing them away,” Leaper told East Portland News.
Greeting those who are turning in “bingo cards” are Green Lents Board Members Nicole Leaper and Izzy Armenta.
“Also, this is way to get people who don’t live here to visit our Lents neighborhood, and to interact with our neighbors to participate,” explained Leaper.
Although anyone in Lents could participate, they focused on those near the Lents Green Ring, she said.
He’s had good sales on the used books he is offering, says participant Steve Kirkendall.
“We have 25 hosts this year; and so far, we’ve had a large number of people visiting the sale this year, so everyone seems pretty excited about it,” smiled Leaper.
As people returned with their maps/bingo cards, they were entered in a prize drawing from local sponsors – such as Big 5 Sporting Goods, the Portland Pickles baseball team, Zoiglhaus Brewing Pub, Lents International Farmers Market, PDXFIT Gym, and Zenger Farms.
Visitors who get official stickers on their “Bingo Card” in a row, like this example, are entered into a prize drawing sponsored by local merchants.
“This helps meet the mission of Green Lents, because this gets neighbors involved with reusing items, and getting people to visit parts of the neighborhood, on foot and by bicycle!” Leaper said.
Learn more about Green Lents at their official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2018 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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