Photos by Lyndsie Ferrell The annual Creede Ladies Aid Society kicked off on July 13. The event is an area favorite and the only fundraiser the society hosts throughout the year. Volunteers and Creede Ladies Aid members spend a year planning for the annual Rummage Sale and weeks before begin collecting donations that fill the huge gym at the Virginia Christensen Center with treasures galore.

CREEDE — The gym inside the Virginia Christenson Center was once again packed with treasures as the Creede Ladies Aid Society’s annual Rummage Sale kicked off on Wednesday, July 13. The mid-week event is the only large-scale fundraiser the society hosts throughout the year, and everyone helps support the group.

As guests wandered through rows upon rows of hand-me-down antiques, books, clothes, and housewares, Ladies Aid volunteers answered questions and collected money for the purchased goods. The event takes all year to plan and only two days to host, but the results are worth it.

Weeks before the event takes place, the society collects donations from the Creede community and beyond. Some items are held to the side for their special auction and though this year’s auction didn’t generate the interest seen in years past, it was still a great success. According to Creede Ladies Aid President Lori Dooley, it was up there with the best of the best throughout the years.

As 2 p.m. approached on the first day of the sale, Dooley and her crew could be seen taking a break from the hectic day and took a moment to speak about how well the first day had gone.

“We are just so happy with how things have turned out," Dooley said. "I can honestly say that this year is up there with some of the best we’ve ever had. Our volunteers are amazing, and we just can’t be happier with how things are going.”

Just a few days later, Dooley announced that the sale produced over $29,000 — another record-setting year.

This crew of society members and volunteers not only set the rummage sale up but tear it down and store whatever is left over for the following year in a matter of hours. While they are busy doing that, they are also baking, cooking, and preparing special Chili Relleno casseroles that are a hit every year. 

All proceeds from the event go toward helping the Creede Ladies Aid provide services to the Creede community.