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AH students plan benefit for shelter

Kelly Leighton Abington Journal Correspondent

The Great Indoor Yard Sale will be held at the United Methodist Church on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the Griffin Pond Shelter.

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Abington Heights High School students Sarah Gronsky and Lara Sorokanich organized the Great Indoor Yard Sale to benefit the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.

Abington Journal/Don McGlynn

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There is a $5 entrance fee. The fundraiser is being organized by Abington Heights High School students Sarah Gronsky, 17, and Lara Lara Sorokanich , 16.

Tables are still available for interested sellers at the cost of $25. There will also be refreshments on hand.

According to Gronsky, Eileen Pocous, college consultant and owner of Better Your Odds, gave her the idea for a flea market. “Pocous had told me it was a big success in other areas and she would have liked to see one around here. I was thinking about a senior project idea at the time and thought that a flea market for a cause would be great. I asked her what made the other flea markets a success and I asked my friend Lara for help. We started planning and calling around, and the Great Indoor Flea Market was born,” said Gronsky.

Lara Sorokanich added, “I thought it was a really clever way to raise money. While some other local charities gave us vague responses or said ‘no’ to our offers to host an event, the Griffin Pond Shelter immediately told us we could raise money for them.”

Gronsky added that she has been an animal lover her whole life. “When I was little, I always pestered my parents for a dog but wasn’t allowed to have one. I always loved to play with my aunt’s labs, which made me love them even more. I had billions of the plush dogs to play with. Finally, in sixth grade, I got a dog of my own, a toy fox terrier named Stitch.

“I had known the shelter is always in need of money from the times I had previously visited. I called Beverly Bright, the director of the shelter, and she was so excited. She immediately wanted to meet with Lara and I. Everything just took off from there.”

Although Gronsky said she has done other small volunteer projects, this is the first time she has ever set up an entire project. “I thought this would be a great way to complete the project for graduation and get involved in the community,” added Gronsky.

“All the money goes to a great cause. The shelter needs the money to provide excellent care for all the animals and they are always in need of more supplies. Even if you don’t want to buy a table, come and get some great stuff from the sellers and the bake sale,” said Gronsky.

Lara Sorokanich said, “We are still in the process of getting the word out about our project, but we are hoping to get a lot of participants. If they are anything like my family, I am sure there are plenty of people in the area who have looked at their garages or basements before and thought, ‘We really should have a yard sale’ but never got around to it. Everybody is busy these days, so our event is an easy way for those people to make some money off of their items without having to put together a whole sale. And, of course, we’re hoping to get a lot of buyers too.

“It is for a great cause, and I am sure sellers will show up with interesting items.”

Anyone interested in reserving a table at the sale can contact Gronsky at 570.905.7071 or Lara Sorokanich at 570.430.3340. The money raised will be used to buy food and care for the animals the shelter, which is located at 967 Griffin Pond Road. Donations are also being accepted for anyone not interested in buying or selling.