University of Southern Mississippi organizers of the 6th annual Mega Garage Sale, also known as Santa's Bargain Basement, remind Hattiesburg-area residents that there's only a few more opportunities to donate items for the Dec. 4 sale benefitting the United Way of Southeast Mississippi. Donations of toys, dishes, clothing, appliances, books, furniture and other items are being accepted from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays at a trailer parked at West 4th Street and North 34th Avenue, near USM's Child Development Center.
Volunteers are available then to assist with unloading and offer donors receipts for tax purposes.
The only exception is Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving, when the trailer will be unmanned. A sign posting dropoff hours hasn't stopped the flow of donations at other times. To ensure success this year, organizers started taking donations two weeks earlier than in 1998 and have arranged for extra space for goods at Outback Storage and Westside Mini-Storage. USM's AOP chapter started the sale in 1993 and it has grown steadily since then, with Delta Tau Delta fraternity joining the effort in recent years. The actual 6th annual Mega Garage Sale, or Santa's Bargain Basement, is set for 8-11 a.m. Dec. 4 at the USM Sports Arena.