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Team Oliver Yard Sale a huge success!

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Oliver and his parents, Noelle and Albert Kei, at the Team Oliver Yard Sale Saturday.

LANCASTER – Team Oliver’s first fundraiser took place Saturday (Dec. 1) and was a huge success, organizers said.

“Everybody came out and was so supportive,” said organizer Laura Mathews. “The kids were all having a blast and the people were just so kind and generous.”

The yard sale raised close to $4,000, thanks to many residents who paid more than the asking price for items, Mathews said.

Many residents paid more than the asking price for items to support the cause, organizers said.

“It was the opposite of a yard sale where normally they try to bargain you down,” Mathews said. “Someone would ask me for something and I would tell them it’s $3, and they would say ‘oh, I’ll give you $5 because it’s for a good cause.’”

One hundred percent of the proceeds will be used to support Oliver Kei, the two-year-old Quartz Hill toddler recently diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic condition called Xeroderma Pigmentosum. Oliver cannot be exposed to sunlight because his body cannot protect itself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. (Read Oliver’s story here.)

The funds from the yard sale are more than enough to cover the cost to create a NASA-engineered suit, which will make it much more convenient and safer for Oliver to go outside during the daytime. The money will also be used to purchase more of the expensive custom sunblock that Oliver must wear at all times.

“I am in awe over everyone’s generosity,” said Oliver’s mother, Noelle Kei. “My husband and I are very humbled by the generosity of our church family and all of our friends and by the outpouring of people from everywhere, people that don’t even know us.”

If you missed Team Oliver’s yard sale on Saturday, but would like to support this cause, you can still do so.  Oliver’s parents have established a trust for his care at the Bank of America in Quartz Hill at 4165 West Avenue L.

Those wishing to make a donation can visit any Bank of America and request to donate funds to the Noelle Kei XP Fundraiser (Account#164102964760).

View more sights from Saturday’s yard sale below. For more on Team Oliver, visit http://www.facebook.com/GoTeamOliver.

Oliver’s siblings and their friends did their part to get passing motorists into the yard sale Saturday.
Skateboarding bulldog Bony Hawk kept shoppers entertained.
Bony Hawk navigates a triple-decker skateboard with ease.
The yard sale featured lots of clothing, children’s toys and Christmas decorations. All of the items for sale were donated by Team Oliver supporters. Unsold items will be given to the Salvation Army, organizers said.
Nadia Cakes donated baked goods for the sale. The items sold out.
Volunteers wore Team Oliver t-shirts.
Oliver takes a break with mom Noelle. During the yard sale, a couple rode up on their bikes with a check donation and asked if they could pray for Oliver, Noelle said. “It was amazing that this couple who have never met Oliver or our family before could do such a nice act of kindness,” She said. “I am continually amazed by all the support the entire AV community as a whole has bestowed upon our family.”
Shortly after Team Oliver’s yard sale Saturday, 7-year-old Lilly Kei wrote her letter to Santa. Lilly wants only one thing for Christmas this year — a cure for XP. Lilly also donated $1 from her allowance to the Team Oliver fundraiser, her mom said. (Image courtesy Lilly Kei)

 

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Filed Under: Health, Lancaster

1 comment for "Team Oliver Yard Sale a huge success!"

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