The Boutique is stocked with antiques, jewelry and collectibles that have been donated to the yard sale. The Boutique is the only portion of the event that is indoors.
The yard sale at St. David’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Cocoa Beach is so popular that people get up before dawn for a spot in line.
The long line for entry into the yard sale at St. David’s -by-the-Sea will form a few hours before the doors open at 8 a.m. on the first day, Friday, Feb. 8. And that long line forms again on the second day at 8 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 9.
“The turnout is tremendous,” says yard sale chair Ellie Yelle. “Hundreds of people come from the community and the parish. There is always a long line when we open the doors.”
The yard sale is a whole-parish venture. “It seems like everyone helps with the setup, pricing, and cleanup,” said Yelle. “Last year, we raised over $5,000 for various charities. The annual sale is outreach – both by having our customers like guests in our church and from the dollars we can give to the projects we support. But it isn’t just about the money, it’s about working together on a worthwhile mission, having fun together, and getting to know one another.”
While most of the event is outside, there will be a portion inside called as The Boutique. Any antiques and collectibles that are donated will be for sale in The Boutique. “Meredith Bauer runs The Boutique. She is very knowledgeable about antiques and collectibles and recognizes their value. She always finds real treasures among the donated items,” said Yelle.
Also making another appearance at this year’s yard sale is the baked goods table. “Joyce Barry runs the baked goods table. She always ensures that there is a wide assortment of delicious goods,” said Yelle.
Yelle is also in charge of the outdoor table. “Here you can find tools, sports, and lawn equipment,” she says. The outdoor table will be on the church grounds.
While St. David’s is not a large parish, it is a generous one. “In 2019, we raised more than $38,000 in money and goods,” said Yelle. “All of our proceeds go to non-profits, a local public school, and hurricane relief. We feed children from a local public school whose population is very economically disadvantaged.
“We have a healthy budget fully funded by the sacrificial support of its parishioners,” Yelle said. “Our outreach fundraisers (Fall Goods and Services Auction and Spring Yard Sale) provide additional funding for our many outreach ministries,” said Yelle.
The line for entry at the annual St. David’s by-the-Sea yard sale forms at least an hour before each day’s 8 a.m. start.
Some of the local charities that will benefit from the yard sale are Family Promise of Brevard, Central Brevard Sharing Center, Emergency Money for Veterans, Veteran’s Memorial Center in Merritt Island, Cape View Elementary School in Cape Canaveral, the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Shelter, and Hurricane Relief.
“We subsidize the children who take part in the free breakfast and lunch program at Cape View Elementary,” Yelle said. “In the summer, they don’t have this program, so we put together backpacks of food. Some of the children don’t even have underwear, so we include underwear and personal care items.”
Members of the parish donated 3,600 pounds of food for the summer outreach. “When I asked for peanut butter, they brought me cases of the stuff!” Yelle said.
The yard sale runs all day Feb. 8 and ends at 2 p.m., Feb. 9. St. David’s is located at 600 4th St., Cocoa Beach. For more information, please call the church at 321-783-2554 or go to: www.stdavidsbythesea.org/
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ST. DAVID’S BY-THE-SEA CHURCH