They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but it was all treasures at the Indian Lake Community Church (ILCC) and the Lighthouse over the last weekend, Oct. 2 and 3. Proof of that is in a record sales amount of $9,391.

Twice a year, the church holds a rummage sale of items donated by their congregants and the community. From clothing to fit all seasons and sizes to big-ticket items like furniture, appliances and bicycles, the bounty this year filled two buildings and a pair of large tents set up outside.

In response to asking what they had more of this time around, Jim Ellington, pastor, laughed and said, “We had more of everything. It was kind of crazy.” Though he admitted he had no idea where it all came from, donations are typically the result of folks wanting to downsize or needing to clear out an estate or simply those with a desire to help out.

According to Ellington, the sale has two purposes. The first is to provide a service to the community. A large number of people from the lake area and the county rely on this sale for reasonably priced clothing, shoes and household necessities.

Then there’s the money they raise, which goes toward supporting numerous outreaches at the church, like their Good Samaritan fund. This offers assistance to those behind on rent, utilities, prescription medications, etc.

The church also supplies food for a backpack program at the Indian Lake elementary and middle schools. Students who don’t have enough food at home over the weekend receive a backpack full of items distributed by the school staff to their lockers.

“It runs over several thousand dollars a month,” Ellington explained, “so it’s good to have the resources to fund it.” At the moment, they serve 70 elementary students and 29 at the middle school.

But the church isn’t done fundraising this fall. On Saturday, Oct. 18, they’re holding a Purse Bingo event at the Indian Lake High School. Doors will open at 1 p.m. with the bingo starting at 2:30. Participants will have 20 chances to win a new purse. Besides the bingo, they’ll have a 50/50 raffle, pull tab raffles and other opportunities to win purses and cash.

All proceeds from the Purse Bingo will benefit the youth programs at ILCC and the Lighthouse.

If you want to help out with any of these programs, contact the church through their Facebook page, at their website—ilcclighthouse.ccbchurch.com, or call 937-843-5636 during office hours.