GREENFIELD — While the first snowstorm of the season may have come and gone, people who still need to stock up on gear for winter recreation can do so at the 71st annual Ski and Skate Sale this weekend.
Shoppers can peruse skis, skates, snowboards, coats and all sorts of supplies necessary for winter fun at the annual sale on Friday, Dec. 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew at 8 Church St. Proceeds will support Girl Scout Troop 65201.
“It’s been a Girl Scout tradition forever and ever,” troop leader Elizabeth DeNeeve said. “Every 10 years or so, it passes to a new troop. We’ll probably keep running it for another three or four years before we pass it on to the next troop.”
Troop 65201 is made up of a handful of eighth and ninth graders, who have a few years left before they age out of being Girl Scouts. When they graduate high school, they’ll have the option to sign up as adult members who can volunteer with other troops, but they will no longer be active Girl Scouts.
DeNeeve said for the next few years, Troop 65201 will continue managing the sale, which the troop uses as a fundraiser for the activities the girls want to do for the year. This year, the girls are hoping to put their proceeds toward travel.
“They want to go canoeing and kayaking in Maine,” DeNeeve said. “They want to go to Canada and New York.”
She said the sale typically raises $1,000 on average and makes a good dent in the troop’s fundraising goals.
DeNeeve said the sale is a consignment sale, so people can drop off and sell their old winter items, which are then resold by the Girl Scouts, along with some donated items. Those who are interested in consigning their skis, skates and other winter goods can bring their items to the church from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. She said the troop always gets lots of goods consigned, so there are plenty of options for customers to peruse.
“It’s a full giant banquet hall in the church full of skis, skates, winter jackets and all sorts of winter paraphernalia,” DeNeeve said.
