Local Group Mines The Power of the Internet to Help Stayton Family

People have a chance to help a local family thanks to efforts of Internet users.

A number of Yahoo groups have assisted a family in the Salem area, including freecyclesalem

(STAYTON, Ore.) - When a concerned mother had reached the ends of her rope on how to help the family of her injured son in Stayton, she turned to FreecycleSalem and LivePracticallyFree-Oregon for advice on how to get help for the family when all leads to govermental agencies were coming up empty.

A number of suggestions were forthcoming, and soon one of the members of FreecycleSalem, a yahoogroup for those who share unneeded items with others for free, decided to put together a huge yard sale to raise money for the family.

Known online simply as Granny In Oregon, this woman with the help of scores of FreeCycle, Recycle, ReUseIt, and other yahoogroups has completely filled her front and back yard for a huge sale this Saturday and Sunday, September 22nd-23rd, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 295 25th St NE in Salem, north of State Street behind the Plaid Pantry.

The father was injured in April and has not been able to work since. Supporters say that to top it off, his 6 year old son fell and broke his arm on the very day his insurance expired! The father has used all available finances to survive this far but has reached his limit. Because he lives just outside the city of Salem, the organizations that he has contacted in Salem won't financially help him.

This is a young, hard working American who has never asked for anything from anyone in his life. He just needs a hand up to help buy the kids a few things they need, pay rent, utilities and some of the bills until he can go back to work sometime in the next month or two.

Granny In Oregon said, "We have a lot of good items; no junk. Here are a few items we have: VCRs, stereo, washer, electric stove, refrigerator, collectible dishware (not many but numerous), mice and keyboard, blankets,toys,4 very nicely reupholstered dining chairs, Fender amplifier (mint condition), hoards of baby clothes, car seats, stroller, WW2 footlockers,T-Fal 4 slice toaster, deep fryer, children's books,kids pool table, sprinklers and that's just what I can stand at my door and see!"

The sale will also feature 50's and 60's music: Hot dogs, iced tea, and lemonade $1 each, cake, a silent auction on a few nice items, a car wash for donations, and free face painting for children.

Granny in Oregon sums it up by saying, "Thank you in advance for helping this young family in need! Hope to see you all there!"

With her willing heart, the generosity of many caring people, and the power of the internet, a local family is being given a new lease on life.