Countywide : Sale Will Benefit Disease Research

What’s billed as “the world’s largest garage sale” will be held this weekend, and the public is invited to buy donated goods to benefit the National Tuberous Sclerosis Assn.

The event, sponsored by Global Van Lines and Global Worldwide, will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the company’s headquarters, 2301 N. Glassell St. in Orange.

Kickoff ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday at 8 a.m., and city leaders, sports celebrities and other dignitaries are expected to attend.

Reusable goods will be offered for sale, including furniture, appliances, computers, televisions, tools, bikes, sporting equipment and artwork.

“A lot of it is really good stuff,” said Jim Corbett, president of Marketing Concepts, representing Global Van Lines.

“We hope (the sale) will create more public awareness (about the disorder), and we hope to get as much money as we can from the items,” Corbett said.

Garage sales benefiting the association will also be held in Canada, Ireland and England.

Proceeds will go toward research and education programs for victims, their families and physicians, said Denise Bradford, events manager for the National Tuberous Sclerosis Assn., based in Landover, Md.

Tuberous sclerosis, first identified in the late 1800s, causes seizures, mental retardation and tumors of the brain, kidneys, eyes, heart and other organs. The disorder affects both sexes and all races and is present at birth. There is no cure for the disease, and the cause is unknown.

Last year, the garage sales raised more than $70,000 for the organization, Bradford said.

“This year we started out with a goal of $100,000--but we hope to make more than that,” she said.

For more information about the organization or the event, call (800) 228-6872.