April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month and to celebrate we will be featuring some of our dedicated volunteers. Today we are highlighting Minks to Sinks.
Twice each year, area residents know to look out for the giant tents near Wilton High School. Housed inside are thousands of items donated and consigned, and soon after the tents appear, the area fills with shoppers looking for great deals and unique finds. This is Minks to Sinks.
Minks to Sinks began in 1931, but only got the name in 1952. Over the years, the tag sale has gone from a small charitable event to a massive undertaking, with hundreds of volunteers working to make the sale a success. The members don their trademark red, white, and blue striped aprons as they price, ticket, organize and display items, haul furniture, rugs and lawn movers to their respective areas, and clean up after the sale.
In addition to providing great deals for shoppers, Minks to Sinks promotes recycling and reusing items with a lot of life left in them and the proceeds of the sales benefit Family & Children’s Agency. When the sale days are over, area nonprofit organizations are invited to bring clients to shop for free so those without the means to pay for items benefit as well.
The members of Minks to Sinks, all women who live in Wilton, form deep friendships through the group.
“I’ve met the most amazing people that I would never have had the opportunity to meet working at Minks,” said Kim Healy, Chair of Minks to Sinks.
Past Chair Meg Campbell agrees. She formed inter-generational friendships and got valuable parenting advice from older members. In addition, seeing the shoppers drives home the meaningful aspect of the sale.
“Just seeing those same people come back to clothe their children year after year after year, to buy them toys, to meet the needs that we take for granted because we are all so blessed,” she said. “We really try to make our world a better place for those that don’t have the gifts that we have.”
Although the sales in 2020 and spring 2021 were canceled due to COVID-19, the members of Minks to Sinks have come together to hold drives to support FCA and our clients. They have donated food, personal protective equipment, and personal care items.
This volunteer month, FCA thanks the nearly 200 members of Minks to Sinks for 70 years of supporting FCA.
