Last weekend must have been a difficult one for those dedicated to a hyperlocal focus. [1]
Even as so much activity was centered on the four corners of Saline, desperately needed attention was focused on West Michigan Avenue to the corner of Mills Road. Recall fundraising efforts on behalf of Saline Area Social Service throughout the car show. From there to all points on the compass, an appeal was made for financial support on behalf of its current “‘Back to School’ Drive.” [2,3,4]
Metes and bounds of the Saline Area School District don’t neatly correspond to those of the city itself. Neither do the threads that bind its rich tapestry of backers. [5]
Mary Lindquist is a self-described part of what she calls “the jigsaw puzzle for the needs of our greater community here. As owner of The Quilting Season, she was hard pressed to tell Saline Journal when her enterprise first started supporting Saline Area Social Service. “The years go by. Who remembers?” [6,7]
One important answer to her seemingly rhetorical question is this: Her clients do. When she puts out a call for any number of the worthy causes that The Quilting Season supports, they respond. Correction: She doesn’t so much ask from them as she offers to help them.
“Quilters and sewers are hoarders,” she explained with a twinkle in her eye, pausing as if a dare to her use of seeming pejorative. “They are constantly gathering things that might be used in projects they haven’t yet imagined. This is why they have much more than they can use. So we help them by cleaning out their sewing rooms.”
And that they did. Between August 1 and 9, customers brought in large bags and small, filled with fabric, notions, knickknacks, and supplies. Unique and enticing treasures that spoke to the hearts of her patrons came to fill a wall sectioned off at the south area of her space. Then the process of sorting began, continuing through Friday with the support of twelve dedicated volunteers.
“This year we ended up with twenty-eight tables outside,” Ms Lindquist said. “We had wool and corduroy, patterns, books.”
But no price tags.
People fill shopping bags full with what they want. Then they make a donation for what they think it’s worth. People are always extremely generous with that. In 2017, we brought in $3400 this way. Last year, 130 kids got shoes and they also got gift cards.
You know how children feel when they have a new pair of shoes: They’ve always got to show you.
It was just after lunchtime when we interviewed Mary Lindquist and traffic was still strong along US 12 for Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale. At much slower pace, the trolley tours were reminding visitors of the struggles, progress, and people upon which this community of today was built. And at The Quilting Season, receipts on behalf of the 2018 Saline Area Social Service “‘Back to School’ Drive” had already passed numbers from the year before. [8,9]
As with so many things, when it comes to generosity, hyperlocal just isn’t big enough to cover the heart of Saline.
References
- “What is Hyperlocal Journalism?” Tony Rogers (May 20, 2017) Thought Co.
- Saline Area Social Service (home page).
- “Saline Street Machines Helped Put Shoes On Children In Need By Attracting Enthusiasts To Annual Downtown Car Show” Dell Deaton (August 13, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “‘Back to School’ Drive” Saline Area Social Service.
- “Saline Area Schools: Washtenaw ISD” Michigan.
- “Saline Salutes – Lifetime Achievement: Mary Lindquist” (March 23, 2018) Saline Area Chamber of Commerce.
- The Quilting Season (home page).
- “Not Just Any Yard Or Garage Sale: Michigan’s Largest Garage Sale Is Coming Through Saline Again This Month” Dell Deaton (August 3, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Work Must Go Into Making Saline Historical Trolley Tours Fun For The Guides So That It Will Be Fun For The Riders” Dell Deaton (August 11, 2018) Saline Journal.
