Vern’s Bayside Restaurant and Lounge will hold a yard sale in the lounge on Friday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to benefit the holiday giving tree at Island Market.

As Christmas Day drew close last year Marion Rathbone and Belinda Landon of Vern’s realized there were tags still left on the giving tree and those children may not have a Christmas gift. They stepped up at the 11th hour. Reaching out to the Eastsound business community, they asked for help to fill the gap. Businesses answered the call with generosity. Rathbone and Landon collected $2,800 in cash in three days and guaranteed that every child had a little something special for the holiday.

Rathbone believes the needs will be even greater this holiday season, so this year, Rathbone and Landon are getting a jump on it. They have already started asking.

The fundraising yard sale will accept donations from the community Wednesday, Dec. 2 and Thursday, Dec. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Vern’s. Donations of items with resale value are encouraged in order to raise the most money for the giving tree. Gift-quality donations will be gleaned and put up for silent auction at the yard sale.

Community members may also bring a wrapped and labeled toy for a direct donation to the giving tree project.

Whatever cash is raised from the sale will be used to purchase Christmas toys and gifts for children in need this holiday.

If you have questions or would like to make a monetary donation to the fundraiser, call Vern’s 376-2231 and ask for Marion or Belinda.