This year, nine woman (from left) Michelle Woodcock, Megan Halwix, Sarah Lubas, Cecily Heuser, Deanne Velasquez, Ana Hare, Michelle Polizzi, Amanda Fatigati. Missing is Becky Smith Janet Sjurseth, and Christina Bonk, made sure the 4 Momz 2 Momz event ran smoothly.

For the past eight years, the Moms United in Marengo has hosted the “biggest garage sale in McHenry County.”

Twice a year their sale raises money for Moms United, helps local families, and donates to local those in need.

The 4 Momz 2 Momz is the perfect storm of service organizations fundraisers. The 2016 fall sale was Aug. 13 and 14.

Many shoppers consider the sale their first stop for shopping for the next season of clothing, toys, and essentials. Families from the McHenry County and beyond bring children and adult clothing, strollers, bicycles, toys, books, and other re-usable children’s items to the sale and tag them with an asking price.

The seller donates a percentage of the proceeds from 5-35 percent depending on how many 2½-hour shifts she works. The remainder goes to Moms United.

Moms United is fellowship group run through Marengo’s Zion Lutheran Church. The group is open to the public and meets the third Thursday of the month through the school year. The 4 Momz 2 Momz fundraiser helps pay for Christian-based speakers who cover topics such as  finances, motherhood, friendship, and marriage.

4 Momz 2 Momz is the brainchild of Cecily Heuser who, as a mother of five children, knows that kids’ clothing, strollers, books, and toys take a big bite out of every family’s budget. But the event takes a village of women to guarantee success.

“We couldn’t do it without all the dedicated women here,” said Heuser.

This year, nine women made sure that the fall 2016 sale ran seamlessly.

Volunteers from Moms United provide quality control checks to assure the items are in in good working condition. They assure the clothing is clean and free of holes, rips, and stains. The clothing is organized on racks according to size and clothing type. Throughout the sale, volunteers act as clerks, help people find items, and corral runaway toddlers.

But it’s not all work. The women see first-hand the benefit to the community. It gives sellers an opportunity to make a little cash. Families are able to purchase seasonal clothes, or an entire wardrobe of school clothes for a fraction of the cost of store-bought. Each of the women agreed that the experience is enriching for them. Though very different women, their combined spirits and talents are what make this huge biennial project so successful.

The August fall sale was the 15th 4 Momz 2 Momz. With more than 500 visitors and thousands of items, the sale was humungous. Yet, the venue, Marengo Area High School atrium, provided a well-lit and spacious, and pleasant shopping experience.

Several area charities also benefited from the sale. After the racks are dissembled and the high school is put back in order for Monday morning, trucks from Tri-County Pregnancy Center, the The Food Pantry, and Home of the Sparrow arrive to distribute the items that are not sold. “Representatives from the organizations have tears in their eyes,” said one volunteer. “They are that thankful.”

4 Momz 2 Momz enriches the organizers, puts some cash in the pockets of those who donate to the sale, and helps the environment by re-purposing and re-using, rather than disposing. The sale provides cost-savings for the buyers and provides clothing and supplies to people in need. It is, indeed, the “Perfect Storm” of fundraisers. Lucky for the organizers, they have until spring before the next storm hits. In the meantime, they are thinking of ways to make it better.