To some, she’s Sally Garrett. Others call her Frances. And sometimes it seems like she’s doing the work of two people – or more. But whatever name she answers to, rest assured that she’ll tell you right quick why she enjoys raising money for the American Cancer Society.
Garrett is a five-time cancer survivor, she told WIZS’s Scout Hughes when he sat down to talk with her during the estate sale, going on now at the former INCO building at 602 S. Garnett St.
She was doing some research after completing treatment for her third bout with cancer, and she said, “Every treatment that I had at that time had been funded or partially funded by the American Cancer Society,” and that’s when she decided to do something to help keep that research going.
Each year, a representative from each Congressional district goes to Washington, D.C. to present their checks from fundraising efforts.
And last year, this Congressional district was the largest contributor, she said.
The estate sale concept is part of the success, she noted. Auctions had sort of run their course, she said, and once the idea of having an estate sale format gained traction, they were off to the races.
“We just did great,” she said. “We made $14,000 that first sale and that really fired us all up…we can do this!”
She said it speaks well of the community the size of Henderson and Vance County that she and her team of volunteers can raise that kind of money. “It all comes from friends getting together and doing something we love,” she said.
Not to brag, but Sally & Friends was the top fundraiser group at last year’s Relay for Life in Granville County with $30,000 going to the cause to find a cure for cancer.
“You have an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life,” Garrett said. “We don’t know who this money is going to help, but it’s going to help somebody…it could be my family, your family or somebody across the world.”
The sale is scheduled to continue through the week, but Garrett said it would depend on how many items are left and how many people are coming in to shop.
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The following was the original post of this story on Friday, July 11, 2025:
Come check out the items up for grabs at the annual estate sale to benefit the American Cancer Society. Sally Garrett and Friends are conducting the sale, which kicked off Thursday and continues through the weekend.
Stop by between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and then 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The sale picks up again on Tuesday, July 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and could continue as long as Sunday, July 20, depending on how sales go, said Frances Garrett, one of the organizers.
This is the second year for the sales, said Chuck Martin, another volunteer who helps with the sale. The items are donated by people who may be downsizing or who have things left from other sales. This sale takes place at the former INCO building, located at 602 S. Garnett St, and features furniture, home furnishings and more.
Visit https://www.estatesales.net/ to see photos of the featured items.
“Every dime goes to the Cancer Society,” said Martin. “Sally Garrett represents the American Cancer Society and assures that all money raised is accounted for and deposited with the state ACS in Raleigh,” he added.
The building space is donated by Jason Stewardson.
