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Community Corner

End of the World? Progresso Hispano Hosts Yard Sale

The non-profit raised over $2,000

Volunteers from all over the Route One corridor came together for Progreso Hispano’s at St. Luke's Church. The event featured items donated by community members and local churches and raised over $2,000 from 10 AM to 3PM.

"I think the day went well. The pretty weather brought a lot of people out and there were yard sales all over," Board member Besty Alexander said. "This was a fun, but it was also a lot of hard work. We didn't reach our goal, but we raised just as much as we did last year."

Progreso Hispano is a non-profit foundation that is dedicated to helping new immigrants acclimate and providing tools for their eventual integration in the community. Churches St. Luke's, Good Catholic and St. Louis partnered with the group to collect donations and act as sale volunteers.

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"It's about empowering immigrants so they can become full participants in our society," Board member Leah Tenorio said. "We have English classes, computer classes and someone who helps with immigration paperwork and details. The sale is a good way to reach out and show what we're doing to strengthen the community."

To compete with the other neighborhood yard sales, Tenorio said the group dubbed their sale an 'End of the World' yard sale and reported positive feedback from their customers. While hardcore yard sale junkies had a strong presence, Board member Heather Alexander noticed customers  they have helped in the past.

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"As much as we help the people that need it, they like to give back as much as they can," Heather said. "There was a strong Hispanic presence at the sale today and it was great to see everybody come out and support us."

Students from Mount Vernon HS, West Potomac HS and Thomas Jefferson HS spent the day volunteering to fulfill community service hours and work with a worthwhile cause. The high schoolers did everything from collect donations and organize them to advertise and encourage fellow students to volunteer.

"I thought if was a really great cause that I could get involved with," Thomas Jefferson student Matt Greenspan said. " I talked about the event with the Hispanic Alliance at my school. I worked the cash box and got a lot of practice speaking Spanish today."

Progresso Hispano hosts fundraising events and volunteer opportunities year round and more information can be found on their website.

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