14-year-old turns messy closet to fundraiser for shelter

Ellen Wildman's closet had it all.

Barbie dolls. Bratz dolls.

Clothes she never wore and even a Pretty Pretty Princess board game.

She said it was a mess. Not out of the ordinary for a 10-year-old.

A visit to Lazarus House in St. Charles, however, helped her develop a greater appreciation for her toys, as well as concern for the kids who lived there.

"I had tons and tons of stuff," she said. "They had to put all of their stuff in one laundry basket."

The Fifth Annual Ellen's Excellent Sale to benefit the homeless shelter and transitional facility will take place 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 8 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9 at 1110 Union St. in Geneva. The sale will include furniture, toys and sports memorabilia. There will also be a bake sale.

In 2004, Ellen, now 14, went to Lazarus House to help paint the shelter's walls. A tornado siren forced everybody in the building to the basement. That was when she first noticed the homeless children.

"I was shocked," she said. "But then I thought 'What can I do?' "

At first, she wanted to put together a carnival, but a peek into her closet -- which she said her mom always used to "bug" her about cleaning -- changed her focus.

She chose to put on a garage sale. Four years later, the sale has continued to grow.

"We used to have to ask for volunteers," Ellen said. "Now we have to turn them away."

Lazarus House, which will receive all proceeds, offers homeless people a place to stay and eat and also puts those who struggle to survive into contact with organizations that can help.

Last year, the sale raised about $7,000 and in the first four years, Ellen said they have raised about $20,000 for the facility.

"It's a good example to all of us," said Darlene Marcusson, who's been executive director for Lazarus House all 11 years of its existence.

She said sales like Ellen's help offset a two-sided problem facing the facility during hard economic times: More people seek help while at the same time, fewer people can afford to donate money. With Lazarus House operating at a deficit for the first time, Marcusson said proceeds from the sale will be used as operating cash.

"Money is just not easy to come by," she said. "But if we can't keep the lights on, what can we do?"

Those who go to the sale will notice a young staff. Most of the nearly 50 volunteers are friends of Ellen and her 17-year-old brother, Zack.

When she first thought of the idea, some people did not believe a 10-year-old could start the sale, that it had to be her mother's idea.

In fact, many people kept asking if they were sure it was Ellen's sale or if they just used that name.

She uses that now to encourage others who think they might want to help.

"I was kind of discouraged," she said. "But don't get discouraged. I want other kids to get excited. Instead of just sitting at home thinking about yourself and thinking 'What can I buy next?' "

She has had several administrators at the shelter thank her, but she said that whether she hears that or not, she knows the shelter's residents benefit.

"You may get the thanks or you may not, but the people do appreciate it," she said. "My parents always raised me that even without getting a 'Thank you,' you should still try to help people."