BERRYVILLE, Va.—“Free stuff makes everyone smile,” said Tim Walraven after attending Berryville (Va.) Baptist Church’s “Free for All” yard sale April 14.
Linda Gum looks through the “Free for All” yard sale items.
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And that’s what the church was hoping for—to put smiles on faces in Berryville and neighboring towns as it participated in its third annual Operation Inasmuch Day.
It was the third year in a row for the yard sale where members and friends donate items to be offered. Betty Hill says clothing is by far the item donated most and what draws the most people. But this year also available were yard maintenance tools, exercise equipment, household items, toys and more.
Several other projects have taken place all three years. One favorite is a tea party held this year for
Women at the Mary Hardesty House Apartments, an affordable housing unit. Another is picking up litter along roadsides, mattress flipping, window washing and yard work.
Pastor Dan Stanley led the water bottle team, handing out bottled water to passers-by on the corner of Church and Main streets, and sharing the simple message of “Have a great day.” Children decorated fleece lap blankets with beads and shared them with residents of Godfrey House, an assisted living facility. While there, they held two hymn sings and residents commented how the visit, fellowship and hymns brightened their day.
“During Operation Inasmuch days, people from Berryville Baptist Church put Matthew 25:40 into action,” said Stanley. “It is my prayer that we will continue to reach out and care for others in an authentic way with no strings attached.”
Barbara Francis (bfrancis@religiousherald.org) is a staff writer for the Religious Herald.