Written by a Panorama resident for the July 2018 Newsletter

Get ready for the 48th year of the Panorama Benevolent Fund’s Patio Sale, the annual July benefit that began with only a few tablesat that very first event. The successes and rewards ofthe sale result from the efforts of about 700 volunteers who donate more than 4,000 hoursin the planning, setup, conduct, and closedown/cleanup activities for this affair.

This year’s sale will be on Saturday, July 21, at two locations: behind the Chalet (1650 Circle Lane SE) and, again, at Encore Furniture & Books (4011 14th Avenue). From 9:00am through 3:00pm, hundreds of volunteer workers will direct traffic, provide logistic information, assist hundreds of treasure-seeking customers, and manage final sales tables.

The Encore site will display and sell furniture and books, while the Chalet’s tables will display the full range of all other donated items — housewares, office supplies, lawn/garden accessories, tools, electronics, fabrics, linens, art, collectibles, etc. But this 2018 sale will also include a newfeature. A special “Christmas in July” display area will appeal to shoppers seeking decorations for that holiday.

The sale provides revenues that ensure support for essential programs and services benefiting all Panorama residents. For example, funding currently provides financial support to residents who have outlived their resources. It also pays the salaries of three Social Service Advisors who help residents manage the physical, financial, and logistic challenges of living and aging. And independent living residents appreciate the personal emergency alert pendant provided to them at no cost.

So, through its 48 years the Patio Sale has remained a living manifestation of Panorama’s “neighbor helping neighbor” beliefs aimed at improving everyone’s quality of life. Helpingshoppers find donated treasures and reasonably priced items that they hadn’t imagined might be somehow useful, or items that they’ve long wanted or needed, both fosters and nourishes the spirit of good-willed sharing that distinguishes Panorama’s residents who embody it.