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Shoppers Can Swap Goods On Saturday

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By LAURA FRAZIER

lfrazier@tampatrib.com

Published: November 19, 2008

BRANDON - A hodgepodge of things that families use every day will be free for the taking Saturday at a Community Swap Day sponsored by the Brandon Family Support & Resource Center.

Center manager Ligia Vigo said everyone is invited to raid their closets and garages for unwanted items in good shape, bring them to the Brandon Recreation Center to unload and browse the menagerie for other things they might like to take home.

"It's completely free, and no money exchanges hands," Vigo said. "It's a free shopping exchange, just a nice way to recycle things back into the community."

Vigo and her staff will set up tables inside the center at 8 a.m. Saturday morning, when "droppers" will be let into the building to deliver their contributions. The swapping starts an hour later.

"They can bring basic household items, dishes, pots, pans, clothing, shoes, baby things, anything along those lines," Vigo said.

People who want to contribute items but don't want to shop can drop and go, and those only interested in shopping are welcome to arrive empty-handed.

Vigo will bring bags full of clothes that her children have outgrown. She hopes to find some "new" duds in the right sizes.

Danielle Soler, a support specialist at the resource center, will bring old Christmas decorations to give away. She's hoping other swappers will do the same.

Anything left at the end of the swap will be donated to a local charity.

"With these economic times, I think something like this is definitely much needed," Vigo said.

WHAT THEY DO

The Brandon Family Support & Resource Center provides free education and activities for families with a focus on child development, self-sufficiency, health and safety. The program is funded by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County and is managed by Bright Beginnings in partnership with the Healthy Start Coalition. For information, call (813) 740-4634 or go to www. familysupporthc.org.

COMMUNITY SWAP DAY

WHERE: Brandon Recreation Center, 502 Sadie Street

WHEN: Set-up starts at 8 a.m., swap is 9 a.m. -11 a.m. Saturday

RESTRICTIONS: No large furniture; items are not for resale; swappers may take a maximum of five items from each group of goods

INFO: (813) 740-4634

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523.

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