GALETTA – The Galetta Community Association (GCA) has had to cancel this year’s Galetta Rummage and Garage Sale this year, a huge fundraiser for the tiny community association.

“It is with great regret that the Galetta Community Association announces that its annual fall garage/rummage/flea market sale will not go forward in 2020,” the GCA told West Carleton Online today (May 4). “This decision was made in light of the current pandemic to protect both our members and our shoppers.”

While the event is usually held in October, the larger issue is the rummage sale takes donations from spring through summer. The event attracts a large amount of donations that usually fills both floors of the Galetta community centre and a tent outside. The sale is usually held over four days in October.

“Consequently, we are not accepting any donations at the present time,” the board said. “We thank everyone who has volunteered in the past and/or donated time and products. We wish everyone good health during this difficult time.”

The rummage sale is the GCA’s largest fundraiser of the year. The GCA uses the funds for its own needs but also donates some of the proceeds to other needy organizations.

“Last year we made three donations,” GCA board member Sandra Fletcher told West Carleton Online at last year’s event. “We wrote a cheque to the West Carleton Food Access Centre, the Grove redevelopment project and West Carleton Disaster Relief. We decide who we are going to donate to in a meeting after the sale.”