By Mary O’KEEFE

Crescenta Valley Sheriff Station volunteers are on the lookout for merchandise for their upcoming annual rummage sale on Nov. 16.

“We are accepting items until Saturday,” said Dep. Maryann Martin, the station’s community deputy.

For years the rummage sale has been the place to go for those looking for a good deal on a variety of items. The CV Station volunteers sponsor and organize the rummage sale.

Proceeds benefit the CV Station by providing money for various volunteer activities during the year. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. volunteer program saves the department time and money by tapping into the talents of local community members. According to the LASD website, some of the programs offered include the clergy program in which clergy members in the community ride with the deputies and assist in dealing with human crisis. Front desk and clerical volunteers work with the public and station personnel to assist with filing reports and providing station services. Volunteers on patrol work in volunteer vehicles in a volunteer uniform assisting in the field as additional eyes and ears in the community. Mounted volunteers work alongside posse and have ongoing training with their horses to provide safe and effective mounted observation patrol.

“They are invaluable,” Martin said of the volunteers. “They are always willing to help out.”

Volunteers on Patrol are often seen driving through the Ralphs Marketplace complex in the 2600 block of Foothill Boulevard as students arrive after school. They are also on hand for events like the upcoming Turkey Run in La Cañada serving as traffic control.

In 2017 the total number of hours volunteers served throughout the entire LASD was 364,520, which saved the department a total of $10,374,251. For the Crescenta Valley Station specifically, volunteers served 5,760 hours, which saved the station $163,929.

The CV Rummage Sale will be on Nov. 16 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CV Station located at 4554 N. Briggs Ave. in La Crescenta.

The success of the sale depends a lot on community donations. There are some items not being accepted including sofas, refrigerators, beds and other large furniture items. To donate or for more information, contact Dep. Maryann Martin or Sgt. Dirk Blansfield at (818) 248-3464. The volunteers can arrange a pick-up of items if needed.

  Mary Okeefe