Over 80 businesses and households around Fernie took part in the first annual Spring Cleanup Garage Sale last weekend, raising over $1,000 for the East Kootenay Brain Injuries Association (EKBIA).
Aside from shopping, Fernie locals and visitors enjoyed face painting, balloons and a scavenger hunt at Rotary Park.
EKBIA employee Rachel Cline organized the event to raise funds for the association and educate locals on how the EKBIA services the community.
"It's really important because of the work that we do," she said.
The EKBIA provides support for individuals living with an acquired brain injury, something that locals say is a necessity in Fernie where hobbies like skiing and mountain biking are cherished.
A Fernie local opened up her driveway in the Annex to bargain shoppers on Saturday, a sale that proved to be successful despite the rain.
Participants had to sign up the garage sale two weeks in advance, paying $20 for a spot on the garage sale map.
Event organized Cline said she raised $1,700 for the EKBIA from signup donations alone.
And as the event wrapped up, several businesses and households around town said they planned to donate a percentage of the money they raised from their garage sale to the EKBIA.
"Lots of people were doing it not for their own personal gain," Cline said.
In fact, Cline noted that a lot of people raised funds to donate to other charities--something she said helped to personalize the event.
Because of the event's success this year, Cline hopes next year Rotary Park can be host to garage sales as well, so that businesses outside the city can get involved in the event.
"It just seems like it was a really, really good community feel, which was what I was hoping for, Cline said.