Anderson flea market benefits aid organization for foster children

Sept. 1—ANDERSON — Finding an evening dress can be a challenge for low-income women, but not if they look in the right places.

The Turn Away No Longer Super Sale was just the thing for a young woman who needed a princess dress for a theater event.

“It was a beautiful aquamarine blue. She was thrilled,” said Sandy Etchison, a volunteer at the New Horizons United Methodist Church's Saturday flea market.

This young woman wasn't the only one who received a prom dress. One teacher took a whole bag full of them, Etchison said.

Shoppers of all ages could get a bag full of clothes, shoes, books and more for $3. The garments were carefully used and inspected by volunteers, including Etchison and Tracey Walters, executive director of Turn Away No Longer, a local organization that supports foster children and their families.

Saturday marked the end of the super sale that began Friday. Walters estimated that more than 1,000 bags had been sold by Saturday afternoon.

Etchison said the idea was to offer people quality clothing at a bargain price. The clothing consisted of branded Michael Kors items as well as no-name items.

Saturday's sale was in some ways an extension of the organization's retail store, Katie's Closet, which provides foster children with access to clothing.

“It helps families,” Rachel Reyes, a shopper, said of Saturday’s sale.

Proceeds help fund Turn Away No Longer programs, including the future TANL House, a place where foster children can go while they wait to be placed with a family.

The house will be located near New Horizons, just off 53rd Street in Anderson, and is scheduled for completion next year.

Turn Away No Longer is waiting for state approval before construction can begin, Walters said.

“They (the state) have approved the foundation plans. … We can start on the foundation; they have not approved the house drawings,” she said.

Architects must add a sprinkler system to the drawings before resubmitting them for approval.

TANL was recently gifted a seven-bedroom house, Walters said, which they plan to use until the TANL house is completed.

Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at [email protected] or 765-648-4254.