March Winds Bring Many Good Things

By Dr. Elaine Campbell
Special to St. John Tradewinds

With ACC’s container already full of gently used items, the group is hosting a mini-flea market on March 18.

The meadow behind GHS, above, will be full of great bargains at ACC’s mini-flea market on March 18.

March winds bring the Rolex Regatta, the kick-off of the sailing season, on St. Thomas March 23 through the 25.
March winds blow in the first day of Spring on Tuesday, March 20; St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 17; and now there’s a new date to mark on the calendar.

On Sunday, March 18, the Animal Care Center of St. John will host its first mini-flea market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Many residents are familiar with ACC’s October “No Fleas, Please” at the Winston Wells ball field.  They bring their nearly new furniture, household items, sports equipment, tools, and books to the shelter throughout the year in preparation for the big event.

ACC’s storage trailer is now already full and it’s only March. Judy Chamberlain, Headmaster of Gifft Hill School, where the storage trailer is located, has graciously granted permission for an interim “mini” sale to be hosted on the school grounds.

Chamberlain’s assistant, Jill Hale, is rounding up students to participate as volunteers, and members of the ACC Board of Directors will be on hand setting up, selling and cleaning up from the event.

ACC fundraising chairman Jason Corley is being assisted by board member Oriel Smith who is already trucking donated furniture to the site. The sale will be at the meadow where the storage trailer is located.

The high, green meadow is beyond the Fred Trayser ball field which is reached by way of the upper school’s main road. Corley is planning to place signs in the area which will point to the access road located off Gifft Hill Road.

All money collected at the mini-flea market will go to the care, housing, and feeding of the homeless dogs and cats residing at the ACC shelter.  As ACC’s funds are currently at a critically low level — money donations have been lower this past year than ever before and expenses are much higher — the mini-flea market is an effort to tide the humane organization over until Wagapalooza. “Waga” has traditionally been ACC’s major fundraiser, but it’s still two months away.

Anyone with donations for the March event, should bring small items to the shelter on the library road in Cruz Bay. Arrangements for pick-up of large items can be made by contacting Corley at jrcorley5@gmail.com.