A fundraiser that had to take three years off because of COVID has now returned, and will be held once again this weekend. And — as it just so happens — the event will be just a few days after the people running the event befell some unfortunate circumstances.

Hospice of Haines will hold its rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Harriet Hall, on the Southeast Alaska fairgrounds, said Leslie Evenden, treasurer for hospice and one of the organizers of the event.

This comes just after the Hospice of Haines office flooded Monday. Shannon McPhetres, who runs hospice, said the office will be closed until repairs are finished.

“But thanks to our volunteers, staff and board members, services to our elders continue,” McPhetres said. “Hospice of Haines appreciates the support of the community through the Rummage Sale. This fundraiser helps ensure that HOH can serve the elderly and provide end-of-life support for loved ones.”

McPhetres stressed that no equipment was damaged due to the flooding. Only the carpets.

All of this makes the rummage sale that much more important. In past years, the fundraiser provided 25% of the hospice center’s $60,000 budget. But COVID shut the event down three years ago. Now, the people running the event decided that it was safe to gather once again, Evenden said.

Because it’s a rummage sale, you will find a little bit of everything. Clothes, household items, whatever people choose to bring.

Evenden described the most fun part of the event.

“It’s an opportunity for people to get rid of things, clear out their closets. And it’s sometimes an opportunity for people to pick up new things, new to them,” she said.

The hardest part of an event like this is organizing things, making sure that like items are together.

Revenue from the rummage sale goes to hospice operations.

“We have one staff person who coordinates all the volunteers, organizes the hospice volunteer training and the grief group we offer. It’s a big part of our budget,” Evenden said.

The group has two main programs. One is hospice, which assists people who are dying, in the final stages of life. The second program assists people who are recovering from sickness or serious injury, or who are elderly and need additional support