Bolton Kin Club hosting next Toonie Sale on May 14

Kin Club members take pride in the sales, which benefit many good causes

By Zachary Roman

If you've ever seen a lineup of 100-plus people outside the Albion & Bolton Agricultural Society President's Building, there's a good chance it was because of a Bolton Kin Club Toonie Sale.

Toonie Sales are among the club's most popular events, and proceeds from them have been used to support a wide range of charities and community services.

The Bolton Kin Club's Susan Eno looks after volunteer coordination for the sales, while Kin Joe Luschak looks after the logistics and acts as the cashier during the sales. There are many more Bolton Kin Club members — and community volunteers, such as students — involved in the sales too, as they're such big events.

“We support cancer; we support cystic fibrosis; we support all the minor sports, hockey, baseball, lacrosse, soccer. We support Meaghan's Music Room; our club just made a three-year commitment… to expand the (Caledon) Seniors Centre…” said Luschak, giving examples of some of the things the Bolton Kin Club supports through their Toonie Sales and other work.

Earlier this month, Luschak spoke to the Citizen all about how the Toonie Sales work, all while checking out customers during the hustle and bustle of the Bolton Kin Club's first sale of 2022.

He estimated the most people he's ever checked out during a sale is 350.

Upon arrival at the President's Building in Bolton for the Toonie Sale just after 10 a.m., there was a lineup of people outside that stretched almost all the way to the Albion Bolton Community Centre.

It was the first sale since COVID-19 restrictions had been lifted, so guests were greeted at the door but did not have to show their proof of vaccination.

There was excitement among attendees to be the first in and find the best deals, with the first customer checking out just a few minutes after the sale started. Luschak said once, a mink coat was sold for $2, and deals like that happen often at the sales. No matter what the item, as the Toonie Sale's name implies, it's sold for two dollars. This takes away any need for price negotiations and makes things simple for customers and volunteers alike.

The Bolton Kin Club receives all the clothing and items they sell by donation. They have donation bins in the southwest corner of the Bolton Zehrs parking lot. Kin volunteers collect donations from the bins often, then take them to be sorted and stored until a sale.

Luschak explained items for sale are always refreshed. For example, at the April 2 sale, Luschak said at the next sale there would be more spring and summer items as the weather is getting better.

The next Bolton Kin Club Toonie Sale is taking place on Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the same location, the Albion & Bolton Agricultural Society President's Building. The sales weren't always held there, however. They weren't always as big and used to be held at the Kin Club building on Chapel Street in Bolton, explained Eno.

“It became a real community. People… they all started to come and then it got bigger and bigger, until we got this building,” said Eno at the April 2 sale. She said renting the President's Building from the Agricultural Society for the sales is a win-win because it's another community organization being supported.

Eno said high school students will come and get their volunteer hours working at the Toonie Sales, and that it can look good on their resumes too because it is retail experience. She said she's seen more and more young people attending the sales as customers, as the younger generation turns away from fast fashion in favour of thrifting and reusing clothes.

“We just love it, just as a passion. And the volunteers that help, they're passionate about helping,” said Eno of the Toonie Sales.