Recognizing that countless, gently used toys are sitting around homes no longer being used or played with, area moms are gathering up the items their children have outgrown to sell them with hopes they will end up under the tree for other children this Holiday Season.

“It’s really all about recycling and repurposing,” said Heidi Esola, Event Coordinator of the Lynnwood area Just Between Friends (JBF) Children’s Consignment Sales Events.

“The beauty of these events,” Esola said, “is that we inspire families to take a good look at their homes a few times a year and to consign unused items at one of our events since the items still have significant value and life left in them for a second home.

“In addition, JBF offers families a convenient alternative to rid of these items providing a financial payout at the end of the sale.”

Area parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are marking their calendars for the upcoming Just Between Friends Toy Sale / Holiday Bazaar Event because they can find exceptional bargains on items that bring a simple smile to a child’s face.

In addition, they are helping other local families who are recycling unused and outgrown items from their growing families like Birgitte Miller.

Ms. Miller began selling her children’s outgrown clothing and toys, along with her maternity wear at the Just Between Friends sale back in 2011 and is still selling through the items and profiting about $1,400 from each sale she consigns in.

“I found these Consignment Sales from just shopping at them when my kids were younger – and now I have so much to get rid of, and everything is practically new, it just economically makes sense for me,” says Ms. Miller.

The Just Between Friends Toy Sale / Holiday Bazaar will be held at the Gold Creek Church in Mill Creek, 4326 – 148th St. SE on Friday, December 7, (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and Saturday, Saturday, December 8, (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.) when many items will be 50 percent off after 1 p.m.

If you are a first time parent, in the military, or a teacher, you can pre-register for the PreSale event to shop before the general public.

“Toys, puzzles and games sell very well at Just Between Friends sales events,” said Esola. “We have parents who buy them to give as gifts; grandparents who purchase items to have at their homes for when the grandkids come to visit, and even daycares that are looking for affordable, but sturdy toys to replenish their play rooms.

“But, what is always so much fun, is when we see the joy on a child’s face who was just able to afford that one special toy on their piggybank budget.”

Shoppers are welcome to come out and experience the event to see what treasures they will find.

In addition to toys, puzzles, books and games, the event will also be selling baby equipment, holiday clothing and decorations and even a special section called “Mommy Mart.”

There is a $2 admission fee on the first day of the event, Friday, December 7 , but there is a free admission coupon on the website: www.jbfsale.com/lynnwood or you can get in free with the donation of canned food, new pajamas or a new, unwrapped toy benefitting Toys for Tots and the Holly House.

At the end of the sale, a number of the unsold items will be donated to the Holly House, a grass-roots volunteer fun organization that Just Between Friends Lynnwood has partnered with.

The Holly House is entirely funded by donations and is in its 6th year serving poverty level children in Snohomish program.

The three programs they run are

1) Toys and Gifts program during the Holidays,

2) a School Backpack Program and

3) a Bike Program.

For more information on this non-profit organization, visit their website at: www.schillios.com.

For more details and to sign-up on the mailing list, please go to www.jbfsale.com/lynnwood.