Trash to Treasure sale is a deal haven for Longboaters

Throw it our way. Don’t throw it away.

That's the motto of the annual Trash to Treasure sale at the Gulfshore of Longboat Key mobile home park.

“We work the entire year for this. This event is a big deal,” said co-chair Kim Fenwick. “It takes a lot of people pulling together and helping one another. Everyone has their own department that they work on and their own tasks. It seems to be a success every year.” 

Fenwick and Susie Hettmansperger have been the co-chairs of the event since 2020. The pre-sale for Gulfshore residents only will be on Friday, Feb. 16 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Hettmansperger mentioned that this will be a cocktail hour for residents to drink beverages while they shop and get first pick of the variety of items to shop from. 

The sale will then be open to the public Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Fenwick’s top tip to get bang for your buck is get there early to be alongside the garage sale experts and antiquers who find some spectacular thrift finds.

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

The committee will be accepting donations until the day the sale opens. Hettmansperger said that the trash to treasure closet is already filled to the brim but they are finding some extra space in the social closet.

“With people that are coming and going, some people that are here a long time want to change their decor around,” said Hettmansperger.  “There's a lot of stuff that someone may think is not so wonderful anymore and they donate it. Then someone else might see it as wonderful and buy it. And that’s how it goes.” 

Shoppers will be able to find linens, decor, sports equipment, fishing gear, furniture, small appliances, general household items, and more. There will also be a boutique with a variety of gently used clothes, shoes, and jewelry. 

All the money raised goes to the Trash to Treasure committee to purchase different expenditures that they think would benefit the Gulfshore community. In years past, the committee purchased a hospital-grade blood pressure machine, new gas stoves, a TV and new countertops for the clubhouse. The remaining money will go to different charities such as Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill.

Hettmansperger said the best part for her is the camaraderie between the committee members. She shared that they love pricing the items together and setting it up in a way that will make it desirable for the customers.

“It's just fun for the girls to all work together,” said Hettmansperger. “Some of the items that get donated, we think who would want to buy that we go ahead and put it out. Then we laugh because it might be one of the first things to go, yeah. It's enjoyable to see our manager and the customers very pleased to see how well it is set up and organized.”