Nine year-old Kamryn Finchum is hoping the pile of stuff in his family's garage will bring in a pile of cash at his garage sale Saturday, Nov. 17. The Highland Lakes Elementary fourth-grader is holding the garage sale to raise money to donate to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation in honor of a grandmother he never met, Julia May Bates, who died from breast cancer in 1989 at the age of 41.
"I've never really met my grandma, so I wanna help raise money so no other kids will have to live without their grandma," he said.
Kamryn's mother Allie says organizing the garage sale has provided an opportunity for her son to learn more about his grandmother.
"It's been kind of a bonding thing and a time that we've been able to talk a lot about my mom — his grandmother — so he's kind of gotten to know her and also about her struggle that she went through and the struggle a lot of other people are going through," she said.
A couple weeks ago, the family distributed flyers to more than 300 homes in and around the Highland Lakes community. They asked people to donate items for the garage sale. Kamryn's mom was amazed at how many people have been touched by cancer.
"We've talked to many woman and men who have stories they want to share of someone they know who is fighting or has fought cancer. It is amazing to me that we have met so many," she said.
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The family is getting support from local businesses, too. A local company called Build a Sign donated 15 signs advertising the sale. Olivia's Consignment Shop will donate round clothing racks to make it easier for people to look at clothing at the sale had the Finchum family's neighbors are also helping out.
Late Thursday afternoon, Kamryn picked up garage sale donations in his neighborhood. He walked home carrying a metal fan that was almost as tall as him. Finchum's buddy and schoolmate Chris Majors, age 10, pulled a wagon filled with items given to them by a neighbor. The boys stood proudly in front of the Finchum family's garage, which already had a pile of stuff in it.
"I hope to make $500," said Kamryn.
However, the total amount of money that the family donates to the Susan G. Komen foundation will be much more than what Kamryn makes at the garage sale.
Kamyrn's uncle Willy Bates lives in California and owns a company called Rugged Ranch which makes products for farms. He has promised to match whatever Kamryn makes at the garage sale.
When the garage sale is over, Kamryn plans on giving a PowerPoint presentation about his experience for a class project. Each year, he and fellow students in his gifted class are required to do a community service project.
Kamryn Finchum's Garage Sale
- Saturday, Nov. 17
- 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- 804 Grenoble Dr., Palm Harbor
