CREEDE - Hundreds of people descended on Creede last Wednesday for one thing and one thing only: thrifting. The Virginia Christensen Center was packed to the brim all day on July 16 and for most of the day on July 17 for the annual Creede Ladies Aid Rummage Sale and the results were more than anyone could hope for.  

This wonderful group of ladies have been helping Creede and surrounding communities for over 125 years and thanks to the efforts of this group, so many people get through difficult times. The number of volunteers, time and dedication that go into this event is astounding and anyone who has ever attended can see how much love pours from the community into this event. 

Tables were laden with every item a thrifty shopper could ask for while guests began wandering through the isles looking for that one elusive piece. Ladies Aid members were stationed around the building to help shoppers find what they were looking for and willing to help as they navigated through the mound of items waiting for their new owners. 

Wednesday kicked off with a silent auction featuring items like Kitchen Aid stand mixer, antique typewriters, sewing machines and so much more. Even the outside of the center was transformed into a make-shift furniture store with items that ranged from beautiful wooden cabinets, chairs, yard furniture and everything in between. 

Through it all, these ladies and their volunteers smiled with compassion, laughed through the mess and came out on the other side with a record breaking $38,368.62. All of this will be used to help the less fortunate, provide for the community, and support new families and friends. 

“We just really want to thank the 120 volunteers that helped put this together and to thank the donors who brought us stuff and to all the people who purchased something. We can have the things to sell and the volunteers, but it really comes down to the people who come to buy things. This was a record year, but I think the best part was how happy everyone was to be there. The smiles, the laughter. That is what makes this the best,” said Ladies Aid Member Jenny VanRy. “Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!” 

The following is a list of services Ladies Aid offers the Creede community: 

-assist with rent 

-assist with medical bills 

-assist with heating bills and firewood 

-contribute to the Creede Early Learning Center 

-contribute to the Mineral County Antibiotic Program 

-arranging bereavement dinners for local families, when asked 

-contribute to the Senior Lunch Program 

-contribute to the Virginia Christensen Multi-Use Facility/Recreation Center. 

-contribute to the Creede Community Church 

-contribute to the Creede Repertory Theater’s Friday Youth Camp 

-assist with veterinary bills 

-provide sewn fabric bags (made by the Sewing Sisters) full of toiletries to migrant workers in 

the Valley. 

-provide fabric bags (sewn by the Sewing Sisters) and age-appropriate toiletries to kids placed in 

emergency foster care 

-donate quilts, neck pillows, walker bags, blankets, dining covers and more items sewn by 

the Sewing Sisters to our veterans at Homelake. 

-Sewing Sisters gifts each new Creede baby with a handmade quilt. 

-provide a cash gift, card and cookies at Christmas to our veterans at Homelake. 

Also, Ladies Aid: 

-distributes homemade cookies at Christmas to our local businesses as a token of thanks. 

-prepares food for Creede’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner 

-sells our cookbooks available in local shops as a fundraiser 

-makes a chocolate treat entry for the town’s Chocolate Festival contest during Thanksgiving weekend 

-sells homemade crafts during the Chocolate Festival and through December at the Christmas Corner set up in the Creede Community Church.