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Zion Episcopal Church has collected $101,609 in donations over the last five-and-a-half years for local and national organizations, even collecting $1,000 for victims of the Maui fires. A church of 55 households, donates approximately $20,000 each year to 40 organizations most of whom are located in Beaufort County. 

Hosting yard sales at the church, and selling hand-crafted items at an annual Diocesan Convention in addition to other events held throughout the year is how Zion congregants collect many donations. Plus, the church donates money from its budget. From 2018 to 2022 and from January 2023- July 2023, Zion collected $69,609 in donations from events throughout the year and collected $28,000 for donations from its budget, according to an Outreach Committee report. Combined, the church collected $97,609. When the Daily News interviewed congregants last week, that number had increased to $101,609. 

Jan Hindsley, charity yard sale co-chairperson shared that the yard sale has been a church staple for over 20 years, but in recent memory it has become a large fundraising event which requires a committee of 14 people to run. One hundred percent of proceeds from the sale will go to charities. 

“We have so much fun doing this,” Hindsley said. It’s a real mission for us, and more and more people are getting involved.” 

Hindsley continued to say the Zion congregation is “amazing,” because of their eagerness to help whenever and wherever they can. That eagerness and enthusiasm stems out of the church’s mission to do God’s work, she said. 

“It doesn’t matter what you do,” Hindsley said about the different ways churches can give back to their communities,” but it is very important for churches to give to the community, to help those who are in need and that’s what this is all about.” 

A charity yard sale will be held at Zion Episcopal on Friday, Aug. 25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday Aug. 26 from 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. The church is located at 7302 Hwy 264 East at Bright Acres Road.