A Yard Sale, Bake Sale, and a Whole Lot of Heart
This weekend, the GenU SLO team came together for what turned out to be an unexpectedly awesome day of service. Under the guidance of Melissa—our mentor and probably the most energetic person I’ve ever met—we pulled off a yard sale and bake sale to support Los Valley Organic Farm. It wasn’t just about raising money; it was about working together and realizing how much we could accomplish as a group. Spoiler: it was a lot.
Step One: Collect All the Things. The first step was gathering donations. Melissa had lots of items we were able to donate from a recent estate sale--items that didn't sell the first time around-- books to kitchen gadgets to collector's plates and vintage dishes. We spent a solid chunk of time cleaning, sorting, and pricing everything. Turns out, deciding if a lamp is worth $5 or $15 is harder than it sounds. Meanwhile, the baking crew was busy whipping up cookies and cupcakes that looked—and smelled—so good, I was genuinely tempted to skip the sale and just eat them all. I didn’t. Mostly.
Melissa’s Masterclass. Before the sale, Melissa gave us a crash course in running the operation like pros. We figured out pricing, and even how to negotiate. I’ll admit, I’m more comfortable arguing in mock debate than trying to convince someone to pay $10 for a vintage tea set, but it was actually kind of fun. Plus, now I can officially add “basic marketing skills” to my résumé.
Game Day. On Saturday, from 8 AM to 2 PM, the yard was buzzing with activity. Shoppers from the neighborhood—and even some tourists—stopped by to browse, chat, and, yes, haggle. It wasn’t all smooth sailing (we had a signage issue and a blind dog fiasco), but we figured it out. By the end, everyone was sweaty, tired, and maybe just a little sunburned, but the vibe was great. We weren’t just selling stuff; we were connecting with people and building something bigger.
The Results Are In. We raised $391.06, which is doing our small part to help keep the organic farm's mission alive: making organic, farm-to-table food accessible to everyone. That’s cool, but what really stood out to me was how much we all learned. From teamwork to real-world problem-solving, it was one of those days that felt like it mattered.
What’s Next? This is just the beginning for GenU SLO. We’re all about finding ways to make a difference and learning as we go. Whether it’s volunteering, organizing events, or just showing up, there’s always more to do—and we’re ready for it."
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