Making a difference starts with a single thought and the courage to act on it. This couldn’t be more true for Project Purple ambassador Pam Sargent-Morris, whose commitment to creating a world without pancreatic cancer sparked one of the most highly anticipated events in her neighborhood: a three-day yard sale. Once a shy kid who would buy her own fundraiser candy bars to avoid going door-to-door, Pam now hosts the widely talked about event that has made and will continue to make a lasting impact in fighting this devastating disease.
From Personal Loss to Purposeful Action
After her father, Les Sargent, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017, Pam wanted to learn more about the under-discussed disease and subsequently found Project Purple. At the time, Pam was already planning on running in the upcoming Chicago Marathon, but this discovery would give her run meaning. “It was a chance to be part of something,” she recalls.
Surprisingly, her training was the easy part; Pam had always enjoyed running. It was asking for donations that proved to be difficult. “Fundraising was totally out of my comfort zone,” she admits.
Her apprehension, however, would soon change when she came across a yard sale in her neighborhood. Pam thought, “Well, I have stuff I can sell. I’ll just raise a little bit of money.” She never imagined the extent to which her little yard sale would grow over the coming years.
Exceeding Expectations
Pam’s first yard sale was small. Her mom, Diana Sargent, contributed a carload’s worth of items, and Pam found a few from her own household to sell.
The yard sale exceeded her expectations, raising $500. She remembers thinking, “Wow! That’s a lot of money!” Pam was amazed by her neighborhood’s generosity.
Inspired by its success, Diana suggested having another yard sale the following fall, but this time she would have the yard sale at her house. For the second yard sale, her family traveled all the way from Illinois to Oklahoma to lend a hand. It was a success, raising more than double the first yard sale, totaling $1,400 at the end of the day.
What started as a small fundraiser quickly evolved into a highly anticipated event as Pam’s neighbors, friends, and family began asking when the next yard sale would be, well before the current one had even ended.
A Popular Community Tradition
As the popularity of the yard sale grew, so did its length. What was originally a two-day event expanded into a three-day experience. It became a marathon.
When Pam started the yard sale, she sold some items from her family and some of her own belongings. Now, shoppers bring bagfuls of items to donate, understanding their contributions will help raise more money to fight pancreatic cancer.
Ever since the second year, her mom has continued to open up her home, shed, and yard in support of Pam and Project Purple.
There are yard sale items in seemingly every corner of Pam’s mother’s house. “We have stuff in the guest bedrooms, the kitchen, the living room…” Pam shares with a laugh.
The work is worth it, in the end. Pam has seen how the yard sale is a time for friends, family, and complete strangers to rally around an important cause.
A Family Affair
Pam’s running journey didn’t start and stop with the 2017 Chicago Marathon. On top of organizing and hosting the annual yard sale, Pam has dedicated herself to running marathons for Project Purple, like the Chicago, Marine Corps, Berlin, and NYC (not including even more half marathons and Dublin this upcoming fall).
While her family may not share her passion for running, they’re always pitching in. The yard sale has given her family members a way to honor Les and contribute to the cause. “They see me doing the runs, the marathons, wearing the jerseys – the yard sale is their opportunity to shine and talk about Project Purple,” says Pam. “This event is not only for my mom, but for my sister, for my brother, my aunts, and friends. Our family doesn’t run, but it gives everyone an opportunity to pitch in.”
Pam’s father, Les, was always there for his family, and the yard sale brings the family together every year to celebrate his love.
She has seen her family grow over the years. At first, her family would direct any Project Purple-related questions to Pam. But now, they confidently share Project Purple’s mission and take pride in their hard work.
Looking Ahead
This year, Pam will host her eighth yard sale from September 8th through the 10th. Every year, the goal is simple: “What did we make last year? Can we beat it?”
Pam encourages everyone to come to the yard sale, even just to say hi.
For Pam, the yard sale isn’t just about the money raised, but the connections made, the lives touched, and the awareness spread. Visitors will often tell Pam and her family they found and followed Project Purple because of their event. For her, “That’s one person… Even if it’s just one person who hears about Project Purple, then I have, in a way, done my job.”
If you’d like to host an event of your own for Project Purple, contact us here.
