Sixteen years ago, Jenny Fulmer arrived at a new Pass It On sale at Aiken's First Baptist Church - a new ministry in which families could sell and buy used clothing and toys for children and teenagers.
"I actually came to the sale to shop for the first time," she said. "I fell in love with the concept of being able to purchase good quality, gently used clothes. I've been with the program ever since."
The program is scheduled at the church gym from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and on 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Items left over will be sold at half-price.
The formal name is The Pass It On Kidsignment Sale, held twice a year - created by Vicki Smith and Connie Kenney. Initially, they intended to provide funds only for the church school's Parents Day Out.
"It was just a small little consignment with nine tables and nine racks," Smith said. "Then it caught on like wildfire, becoming the biggest thing we've ever had in Aiken County."
She anticipates that 160 consignors will participate, along with dozens of volunteers who put out all the items - ranging from gym equipment to strollers, basketballs, clothes, baby equipment and much more.
Consignors will share their proceeds with the church and its parents' program. As many as 1,500 people will attend the event.
Even so, many items will remain unsold, and that's a special opportunity, Smith said.
The items will be sent to up to 20 social service agencies and non-profits, trying to give the organizations targeted items that meet their needs to help their clients.
"It's a cultural thing here, a community-building event," Smith said. "Young moms get started when their baby was born and later will walk through here together. We have reunions every six months with our volunteers. We bond together and serve our community together."
As people start streaming in on Friday, the Pass It On Kidsignment Sale will look like Christmas, Fulmer said.
She likes standing at the top of the bleachers, enjoying the crowds and the camaraderie throughout the day.
Fulmer also celebrates when the left-over clothes, toys and other equipment are collected.
"It's a ministry for a reason," she said. "It touches a lot of people, helping parents who need to generate income for families. These are quality clothes and can help mothers stay home with their children."
Aiken's First Baptist Church is at 120 Chesterfield St. N.E.
Senior writer Rob Novit is the Aiken Standard's education reporter and has been with the newspaper since September 2001. He is a native of Walterboro and majored in journalism at the University of Georgia.