Excellent Sale, Excellent Cause

With her apron tied around her neck and friends by her side, a 16-year-old Geneva teen took over her church kitchen yesterday to bake 50 pans of brownies!

Ellen Wildman bakes the sweet treats every year for a yard sale she started when she was just 9-years-old. The brownies are always a big hit at the sale, so she wanted to make sure there were enough for the growing number of customers.

Ellen (wearing the orange shirt) with her friends cooking brownies for the sale

The proceeds from the brownies and all the items sold at "Ellen's Excellent Sale" will go directly to the Lazarus House shelter in St. Charles.

Ellen started raising money for Lazarus House after volunteering there with her family seven years ago. They were working on a painting project and were separated from the homeless people in the shelter down the hall. However, when a tornado siren went off, everyone in the building went down to the basement together. That's when Ellen saw homeless people in a new light.

"I never expected homeless people to be my age," Ellen said. "When I went down there, there were people my age and families just like mine. I was shocked they were just like me. They just got put in bad situations. That inspired me to do something."

Amy Wildman, Ellen's Mom, said the experience really affected Ellen. "She didn’t stop talking about it. She'd say, 'Mom, we have to do something to help those people.'”

That's when the 9-year-old came up with the idea of a yard sale. It started small, but it's now much bigger than she ever expected. In fact, police now have to block off the street in front of the Wildman's home during the sale. Every year, friends and strangers donate items for the sale and volunteer to help.

"Ellen's Excellent Sale" in 2009

"I'm amazed," Ellen said. "So amazed by so many people's generosity. And amazed at how the community wants to get involved and help."

Over the years, "Ellen's Excellent Sale" has raised more than $30,000 for Lazarus House. Countless homeless people are being served thanks to a little girl with a big heart. Ellen took action at a young age and she has continued to help people in need by making her sale bigger and better. Her efforts prove that it only takes one person to bring a community together and make a difference!

Ellen with two girls she babysits that love to help with the sale every year

ELLEN'S EXCELLENT SALE
Friday, July 30, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 31, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

1110 Union St
Geneva, IL


Photos courtesy of Ellen and Amy Wildman