Investing in the future

"HANSVILLE-One person's Hansville Rummage Sale find is another person's education. When an environmental testing firm eliminated positions last year, Julia Wilcox, 43, found herself out of work. When she searched for jobs, she found herself out of luck. I wasn't qualified to do anything that paid enough to live on, she said. In addition to herself, Wilcox has to support her 11-year-old son. So she decided to take the plunge and go back to school. This year she received a scholarship from the Hansville Community Center, which has eased the financial burden of re-inventing herself. The community center, funded primarily through the rummage sale proceeds awarded $7,300 in scholarships this year to students beginning college or people who want to continue their education. Last year's rummage sale generated about $20,000. This year organizers say they want to raise $25,000. Beside scholarships, the money also goes toward events such as Music in the Park, children's Easter, Halloween and Christmas festivities and the speakers program. Just as valuable as the money raised are the friendships built while preparing for the sale said Bonnie Isaacs, co-chairwoman of the event. Even though we work hard we have a lot of fun, Isaacs said. The sale scheduled for Aug. 12-13 at the Hansville Community Center will feature items including large and small appliances, electronics, furniture, books, antiques, collectibles, and clothing. All items not sold will be given to Goodwill. The sale begins at 9 a.m. A few years ago, Tim Mikesell bought a stereo cabinet at the sale. In a few weeks he will begin his college career with a Hansville Community scholarship. A 2000 graduate of North Kitsap High School, Mikesell spent Monday registering for classes at Olympic College. His scholarship, he hopes, will begin him on a career in the teaching and coaching field. My mom was a teacher and a coach and I always had really good coaches, Mikesell said. He plans to ease into college by getting his associates degree at OC and then move on to the University of Washington. The 18-year-old will also work 30 hours a week at the Albertson's in Kingston while taking classes full-time. But this weekend he plans on going to the rummage sale and hunting down a good deal. "

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