Faith-based freebies circulate at yearly event

Unity Church in south Fort Myers is extending an invitation to members of the community in need of home goods and accessories to attend their second annual Circulation Day on Feb. 16.

The congregation will spend the day offering a garage sale but there won't be any cash registers or price tags. Event attendees are only required to walk around and pick out what they like.

"It's like a Macy's department store except everything is free," said the Rev. Jim Rosemergy about the event that church members will set up on Feb. 15. "We put everything into categories and people walk through every section and take what they need."

Rosemergy is the mastermind behind the event he created; it's based on other ministries he has served in the past.

"The need is quite high in this area and I've done this in different places and in every community you have people in need," said Rosemergy who has served the church for a year and a half. "We set it up outdoors and they get what they need."

The needs are being met by other members of the church who are looking through their homes and donating items that are out of circulation.

"In everyone's home, there are items that are out of circulation and those are what we are asking for," Rosemergy said.

Last year's event allowed the church to partner with area organizations that are in direct contact with the needs of the community.

"We've already been getting people interested in getting things and they want help," said Joyce Niblick, administrative assistant. "Our plan is to give them help now and hopefully they will pay it forward and help their follow man later."

Helping is what the church is asking the community to do by dropping off items like washing machines or bed sheets at the church on Feb. 15.

"Last year was amazing. They pretty much filled our entire parking lot ... families came and were able to furnish their home and get that fresh start," said Niblick who has reached out to 19 area organizations to find people in need. "We are basically the middleman and the coordinators for the event."