I was oblivious to Sunday’s storm damage until a friend phoned me later in the day to see if I could help her clean up her yard in north Wheaton. Driving from south Wheaton to her home off of Pleasant Hill was like driving through an obstacle course with streets closed, massive trees uprooted, power lines down everywhere, people already hard at work cleaning up and the noise of generators and chainsaws filling the air. It was surreal.
The two very different realities – me with no storm damage, electricity on, shucking corn as I prepared for a potluck with friends and the destruction just a few miles away was shocking. How could I not have known?
Yet, similarly, there are two very different realities, ongoing, in DuPage County – those with plenty of food, safe places to live, basic needs met – and those without some or all of those things. Without the outward dramatic destruction – like Sunday’s storm produced – it’s easy to forget.
That’s why I’m so committed to what we do at Outreach Community Ministries and Ashley Furniture. It’s also why I put together a map of other area resale stores which are supporting excellent organizations doing great work (on a clipboard by the register if you haven’t picked up your copy).
And though we’d gladly take a cash donation – at Ashley Furniture we’re offering you good furniture at good prices while supporting the programs and services at Outreach. Here are some of the things you’ll find at the store today from 1 to 8 and tomorrow from 9 to 4:
lovely Pennsylvania House sofa in a great neutral color priced $175
nice Walter E. Smithe plaid wingback chair (needs some spot cleaning) – priced $135
cool metal table with a distressed finish and a neat basket weave top priced $40
this is one of those tables that folds down to – something like 8” deep – or opens to seat 8 comfortably – table and 8 chairs for $185
cool oak buffet or media cabinet? – our floors are to blame for the drawer being open (since in another spot they all stayed closed) – lovely as is or would be fun painted another color (black?) priced $65
massive dresser – really a very nice piece – priced $235
excellent Woodmark sofa for $175
lovely Woodmark chair and ottoman (some pulls in fabric) priced $115
sweet round pedestal side table for $75
Room and Board sofa – some stains and one seat cushion seam is coming undone – priced $135
8’8” x 12’ Karastan wool rug – just cleaned and in excellent condition – priced $225
wonderful old curio/cabinet cabinet – missing some trim – priced $145
sweet painted three drawer dresser priced $75
fabulous Shaker-style drop leaf table with inlaid wood – but needs some refinishing – priced $145
pleather sofa – both ends recline (wall hugger) priced $45 (some rips); matching loveseat – both parts recline (also a wall hugger) priced $65 (in much better condition than the sofa)
two fantastic one drawer storage pieces – top of both need refinishing – priced $95 each
Lazboy loveseat – both sides recline – priced $125
lovely smallish baker’s rack priced $85
Lane brand wingback/recliner – back is faded and seat cushion is ripped on one side (other side is fine) – priced $75
cedar lined trunk priced $95
Sprauge & Carleton 2 piece china cabinet (from their Kings Arrow Collection) priced $175
nice table with four chairs priced $135
fabulous Century dresser priced $275; two matching nightstands are $75 each (note wood damage on back of nightstands) – or buy all three pieces for $375 and save $50!
great contemporary 10 drawer dresser w/mirror priced $145; matching nightstand for $50
Stickley 8 drawer dresser for $145
amazing Kalamazoo Emperor coal or wood burning stove – manufactured between 1902 and 1952 – priced $350
nice looking brown leather sofa – both ends recline – two issues: pet hair and both arms are wobbly – priced $40
two painted nesting tables – $35 for pair
three piece sectional – dated but in good condition – priced $85
After three sweaty hours – me, my husband, a guy from church with a chainsaw and a generator and my friend who’s yard was damaged, had cleaned up most of the tree debris. What had looked absolutely overwhelming to her when she first phoned me had become manageable.
Every purchase at Ashley Furniture is helping a single mom (and others) who feels overwhelmed – through Outreach – feel like she has help, support and someone who cares.
Each of us – including you, dear reader, can make a difference.
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