Great River Rescue hosts garage sale fundraiser

073124.N.BP.GRRFUNDRAISER 1.jpg — Great River Rescue employee Tayli Brekkestran holds shelter dog, Sandie, at the garage sale on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Bemidji.

By Charley Gilbert

July 30, 2024 at 2:34 PM

BEMIDJI 鈥� Great River Rescue hosted dozens of thrifty shoppers and wagging tails on Saturday for a free-will donation garage sale featuring home goods, pet supplies, movies and more to raise money for animals at the shelter.

According to GRR Manager Briana Propst, the rescue has raised around $2,000 from the garage sales they have hosted over the years.

鈥淭he community is just absolutely amazing,鈥� Propst said. 鈥淎ll of the money earned benefits the animals.鈥�

073124.N.BP.GRRFUNDRAISER 2.jpg — A variety of items are on sale during a garage sale fundraiser on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Great River Rescue.

Bemidjians Scott and Cindy Tuomala also stopped by with four large bags of shoes for the shelter鈥檚 shoe drive that has been going since early June, with July 27 being the final day to accept donations.

鈥淚 mean look at this room, it鈥檚 overflowing with shoes!鈥� Cindy exclaimed, gesturing to the open room covered in shoes. 鈥淭his is the kind of community we live in.鈥�

Cindy has been a pet sitter for years, helping her live out her passion for animals.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard for me to come here sometimes because I want to adopt them all, even the cats even though I鈥檓 allergic,鈥� she said with a chuckle. 鈥淒on鈥檛 get me wrong, it can be exhausting, but having a companion is worth it. You鈥檝e got to get an animal to help fulfill your life.鈥�

073124.N.BP.GRRFUNDRAISER 4.jpg — Cindy Tuomala, left, and her husband, Scott, donate to the Great River Rescue shoe drive on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Bemidji.

Another way to support the shelter is by bringing donations to the Bemidji Speedway at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4, at 1831 Sunnyside Road SE. Bemidji Speedway will match all funds raised and attendees can bring an item to donate to the shelter, get their photo taken at the Kissing Booth with Wookie the dog and learn about some of the current and past shelter animals.

Items currently needed are wet and dry food for kittens, wet and dry food for senior cats, wet and dry food for puppies, dish soap, bleach, laundry detergent, office supplies and items on Great River's Amazon and Chewy Wish Lists.

Additionally, Bemidji Brewing will host a Community Pint Night on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 211 America Ave NW, with $1 from each beverage sale between 4 to 7 p.m. being donated to Great River Rescue.

For more information about Great River Rescue and its available pets, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities visit . Or find them on and

073124.N.BP.GRRFUNDRAISER 3.jpg — A variety of items are on sale during a garage sale fundraiser on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Great River Rescue.

By Charley Gilbert

Charley is a multimedia reporter for the Bemidji Pioneer covering outdoor and human interests stories. She graduated from Bemidji State University in 2024 with a bachelor's in Communication Studies.

Raised in Ham Lake, Minnesota, she has always enjoyed being outside in nature, which is one of the many reasons why she has decided to stay in Bemidji. When she is not outside, she can be found learning new recipes, reading books and spending time with friends.

You can contact Charley at (218)-333-9798 or cgilbert@bemidjipioneer.com.