Russ Wilson, 92, is part of a huge team setting up on Friday for the “Super Garage Sale” in Calgary.
“We’ll plug it in and hopefully it works,” Wilson said, checking a donated hair dryer.
“My job is to test anything that’s electrical. Then I put a sticker on it and I mark it OK.”
He’s helping with quality control on donated appliances the Samaritan Club is selling to raise money to support its charity work in the city. The sale also includes clothing, books and toys.
Wilson has been volunteering at the event for 47 years.
“The reason I do it,” he said, “is I like to help people less fortunate than me.”
Wilson is tying hundreds of fishing flies to contribute to the sale, with all the proceeds going to support the club.
His daughter, Jeanette, also volunteers with the sale, inspired by her father’s example.
“He’s a pretty incredible guy,” she said. “Not too many people his age would be able to do what he still does.”
Wilson interrupted with a joke: “Yeah, I paid her to say that.”
The “Super Garage Sale” runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Centre.
Organizers are hoping it will raise $35,000 for the Samaritan Club.
READ MORE: What Calgarians need to know before visiting or hosting a garage sale