Local non-profit group the Project Friendship Society hosted a garage sale at their newly-opened Thrifty Friends Boutique, 2930 Fifth Ave., Saturday.
The funds raised will go towards their programs that see those with special needs connected with local interest groups and associations.
The society was founded by Bob Harkins and Rev. Lance Morgan in 1989, with the goal to build a stronger community that is inclusive and engaging for all.
"Without my hearing aid and glasses I am a disabled person," Jackson said. "We are here to help anyone who has a disability, whether it's physical, mental, verbal, hearing, sight - anything. If you think you are disabled come and see us."
Programs include Connections, a unique project that sees members of the society interview individuals in need.
"We try to to find out what their hopes, dreams and goals are and then we try to find a match in the community, whether it's an individual person or a group," Jackson said. "We've matched people in the past with the RCMP, the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Northwest and a few years ago we even started our own little stand-up comedy show and performed one-act plays."
The non-profit also offers programs to explore many areas of interest including loom knitting, beading, and oil, water and acrylic painting, the Joyful Tone Singers, Ric Rec offering recreational activities, photography and Artful Friends to explore creativity.
The boutique has been open since Sept. 1 and has a variety of items ideal for treasure hunters and upcyclers with plenty of racks of clothing for everyone.
The garage sale items spilled out onto the grounds surrounding the store Saturday for those Thrifty Friends that wanted to check it out.
"We have so many beautiful volunteers," Margaret Jackson, a volunteer herself, said. "We're all volunteers and all the money raised stays local."
Longtime volunteers Lois Bittner, program coordinator, and Mary Taschner, president of the society, took charge of the outdoor portion of the garage sale, while others took on the duties of the boutique.
Bittner said volunteering with Project Friendship Society has changed her life just as much as it has for those using the local service.
"This is just the best thing that's ever happened to me," Bittner said and added knowing she's helping people in the community gives her great satisfaction and as she sees people change and grow it's an amazing transformation to witness. The programs are very popular, too.
"Sometimes we see upwards of 100 people at one of our many events," Bittner said.
