LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - On Saturday, some Fort Simpson residents who decided they had too much stuff got rid of some of it to support those who now have so little.

The Fort Simpson recreation centre was the site of a community garage sale on Feb. 13. Approximately 13 people purchased 25 sale tables to try and entice others to buy items they no longer wanted or needed. All of this consumerism was for a worthy cause.

Jocelyn Tsetso, left, and Susie Hanna display some of the items they offered at a community garage sale in Fort Simpson. Proceeds from the table fees at the sale were donated to UNICEF Canada for the Haitian relief effort. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Through the proceeds from the table registration fees the sale raised $500 for UNICEF Canada's Haitian relief effort. Tables were purchased at $20 a piece.

"I'm really happy that so many people came out," said Jocelyn Tsetso.

Tsetso and Susie Hanna developed the idea for the sale.

Having each recently moved to new places within the village, the two women said they discovered how much extra stuff they have. We decided that we needed a garage sale and couldn't wait until the summer, said Tsetso.

The village held a community garage once before, and Tsetso decided it was time for another one. The women decided later to donate the proceeds of the sale to Haiti.

"I was like let's do it," Hanna said.

Hanna said the people she contacted were interested in the sale for two reasons. Many liked the idea of raising money for Haiti, she said. The other reason had more to do with closet space.

"Everyone loves a little spring cleaning," she said.

By herself, Hanna filled two tables with items from her closet and bookshelves.

"You just pick up so much stuff along the way you don't even realize it," she said.

It was the idea of helping Haiti's earthquake survivors that inspired Karen Simon to set up two tables at the sale.

"We are all one and people in the world need to help one another," she said.

Simon went through her shed and brought a variety of children's clothing and toys her family no longer needs to the sale. She also phoned her mother-in-law Lucy Simon in Jean Marie River and convinced her to come and bring some of her traditional crafts including beaded moccasins and gloves.

At a table located across the gym, Mary Rose Denethlon was offering a variety of items from all around her house. An hour into the sale, she had already sold a lamp, a few movies, a purse and a set of hair clippers.

Denethlon, who said she sometimes likes going to garage sales, also browsed the other tables and returned with a purse for herself and some snacks.

In addition to tables where a variety of baked goods were available, Trudy Nelner was selling some of the ingredients needed for baking.

Nelner, a Watkins representative, had a display of some of the company's products.

"It's a great way to get community involvement for a good cause," said Nelner.