ABOVE: Sheila Algaier of Salem stands next to a nearly 7-foot metal giraffe she bought Friday at the 28th annual Angels for Animals garage sale at the Canfield Fairgrounds. The fundraiser continues today and Sunday....Correspondent photo / Sean Barron

If you go…

WHAT: 28th annual Angels for Animals garage sale

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Canfield Fairgrounds

COST: $2 today and free 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $10 from 2:15 to 4 p.m. Sunday, when shoppers can take an unlimited amount of items.

CANFIELD — If Linda Williams desires to listen to the popular song “Amazing Grace,” she can opt for the usual means of playing a compact disc or listening to the radio — or the unconventional approach of turning a metal steeple.

“I always find Christmas stuff for some reason, but this time I went for a lot of artwork,” Williams, of Niles, said.

One of the artistic pieces she bought was a small metal makeshift church containing a steeple that, when rotated, plays the melody to the famous gospel tune. The item also was among many she bought Friday at Angels for Animals’ 28th annual gigantic garage sale at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

The fundraising event continues 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today as well as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in six or seven buildings on the fairgrounds. Proceeds will go toward the organization’s general fund to help defray the salary and benefits of one of Angels’ six full- and part-time veterinarians, Diane Less, one of the nonprofit shelter’s co-founders, noted.

Last year’s sale netted a profit of about $154,000 for the facility, and this year’s goal is $175,000, said Less and Susie Cope, a 30-year Angels for Animals volunteer. In addition, Angels is adding another building this year to its location on state Route 165, Less continued.

Among those who are poised to help the shelter achieve its financial goal is Williams, who also bought Christmas merchandise to add to next year’s holiday decorations, along with several canvases, one of which displays the former Cleveland Indians logo, and many other items.

“I come every year and always support this. Plus, I love dogs,” she added.

If you get lost trying to find Sheila Algaier’s address, instead of looking at the mailboxes, look for the 7-foot metal giraffe near her driveway.

“I happened to look up and there it was, and my daughter said, ‘Oh, no,’ and I said, ‘I better go to the ATM and get some money,'” Algaier, of Salem, said with laughter.

Algaier, who works for Verizon Wireless in Calcutta, bought the giraffe Friday, but instead of paying what she estimated at $600, she got it for about $225. The light, metal giraffe, which represents her favorite animal, but barely fit in her sport-utility vehicle, will be placed in front of her garage, she said.

“It’s the first thing people will see,” Algaier added.

Among the merchandise for sale are donated dish and kitchenware, handbaskets, assorted lamps, ceramics, clothing, board games, bedding, towels, furniture, filing cabinets, shoes and a handful of Christmas decorations. A stereo system and record player was available for $20.

Jennifer Barrett, who has volunteered for Angels since the 1990s and lives in the Washington, D.C., area, was busy arranging and selling a variety of costume and other jewelry.

Barrett related the story of a woman who recently was divorced, but instead of pawning her wedding band, she donated it to the sale. Her wedding ring, along with other high-end pieces, will be available via Angels for Animals’ eBay website, Barrett noted.

The site has thousands of pieces of jewelry, so Barrett and others look at the online prices and sell them at discounted rates, she explained. Barrett also was selling a wide mix of costume jewelry, gemstones and related items.

The jewelry cases attracted the attention of many patrons, including Kathleen Watson, who owns North Jackson Antiques & Uniques.

“I loaded up the first time through the Fine Arts building,” Watson said, adding that she was buying a variety of jewelry for herself and her business, and has been in the antiques business about 20 years.

“God bless the community,” said Susan Bobbert of New Castle, Pa., a 22-year Angels volunteer.

Bobbert estimated that 300 to 400 large pieces of furniture such as nightstands, two-bedroom sets and chairs, along with smaller items, sold Friday morning.

Angels for Animals also brought several dogs from the shelter that wore bags into which people could place monetary donations. One of the pets was Tess, a 6-year-old blue tick coonhound that David Hargett adopted from Angels about three years ago.

“She’s a good, fun-loving dog,” Hargett, of Niles, said. “We spend all of our time together.”

Less said Friday that the sale continues to grow. She added that an estimated 1,200 people came during the first three hours, which was the early bird portion.

Less also noted that her organization has raised nearly $8 million of its $10 million capital campaign goal.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Angels for Animals to borrow $1 million to finish the building to help better serve the public and stay open, so she has asked Mahoning County commissioners for about $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds, since Gov. Mike DeWine declared animal shelters as essential businesses, Less said.

news@vindy.com