BY MARY JANE FARMER

HERALD DEMOCRAT

The American Red Cross Texoma Area Chapter is seeking donations of items to be placed in its upcoming seventh annual fundraising garage sale.

Money from this garage sale is critical to the work the Red Cross does throughout the year, helping the public in their times of greatest street. Director Sharon Watson said this past winter has been unusually hard on the non-profit, especially because of the many house fires that left people homeless throughout the counties the Texoma Area Chapter serves.

Six days each week between now and March 24, Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., volunteers are standing by to process the items brought in for the sale. People with items too large for them to transport can call the Red Cross at 903-357-3599 and it will send someone to pick up those items.

The Red Cross is not accepting some donations, including clothing, shoes, or older-style computer monitors. Appliances need to be in working condition, Watson added.

Items can be taken to the west side of Midway Mall near the place formerly occupied by Goody's retail store. It is now marked with a Red Cross banner, Watson said.

The garage sale begins March 26. Watson said it's a double win for the public, which can get rid of unwanted items, get a tax-deduction receipt for them because of the Red Cross's non-profit status, then come to the garage sale and obtain some real bargains.