September 29, 2005

Little acts of kindness

Almaden’s response to Katrina relief has been widespread

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

If you think neighborhood garage sales are nothing more than a glorified way to clear out enough space to finally get your car in and make enough to pay for dinner at the same time, think again.

What started as a simple idea for a garage sale across from the Castillero Soccer fields quickly grew into an effort by teachers and church-goers from Willow Glen and Campbell, as well as Almaden. In attempt to mirror the fund-raising effort, their children set up a bake sale across the street.

When Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans and the Gulf Coast nearly a month ago, the American way of thinking changed almost overnight—hopefully for the better. People are no longer looking for ways to recoup some of the losses incurred from hasty purchases still in the box or clothing that never saw the light of day and still has the tags to prove it, they’re now trying to get top dollar so they can turn around and give the cash away too.

The response has been widespread and massive. Even children are devoting their Saturdays to lemonade stands instead of play dates. Teens are coordinating car washes and fundraisers. Parents are driving school collections into record numbers—and in record time. So why not throw a garage sale or two into the mix?

Two weeks ago Annie Deckert and Rebecca McGuire raised upwards of $800 for victims of the hurricane. However, they wanted to do it big, so Annie, a teacher for Explorer Preschool in Willow Glen, mailed nearly 100 of her closest friends and urged them to purge their storage cabinets and deliver everything to the corner of Camden Avenue and McAbee.

Roughly 40 responded, bringing treasures of their own that they were willing to part with and then helping with the set up.

Phil Barbara, a retired San Jose police officer and member of South Hills Community Church had already made the garage sale rounds, but stopped by to purchase a stroller and some baby items to take to New Orleans. Nearly out of cash, including his own, he settled for the stroller—but left with much more, including clothes, stuffed animals, luggage, a play pen, shoes, even a life jacket—all at no charge.

Former police officer Phil Barbara stopped by to purchase items for Hurricane Katrina victims. Handing over pile after pile, Annie Deckert was happier to see them go instead, to new homes and all bets were off, as she loaded him down with clothes and toys.

The decision to give away items to Barbara was a no-brainer according to Deckert, as she piled clothes on top of his arm.

“It’s not like we’re intending to make a profit,” she said. “Who here really needs it?”

Meanwhile, Deckert’s daughter Anna Grace, along with McGuire’s daughter Sara decided to have a sale of their own across the street—admittedly a sweeter one too, complete with homemade snickerdoodles, brownies, cookies, and Rice Krispy treats. It was the least they could do.

“It’s really sad because on the news there’s a lot of sad things,” explained Anna Grace, 11. “People lost their homes and their families—and their kids died. And they didn’t have anywhere to live.

When asked what one thing they would take if it was all they’d ever own from their past, their responses had more to do with memories than material things—refreshing for 11-year-old girls.

Yuri Simpson, with Caldwell Realtors, stopped to purchase some water from Sara McGuire and Anna Grace Pyzel.

“I have this picture of like almost all my friends from my birthday when I was like 6,” said Sara. “That way I’ll always remember them.”

“I have this little box and it has practically everything that’s special to me—like tons of memories from when I was a kid,” said Anna Grace. “There are pictures of my friends, little things I used to play with, and a letter from my second-grade teacher, who was like the best teacher I ever had. “

Congratulations Mrs. Johnson, from Noddin Elementary School. That would be you.