UPDATE: Really Free Market organizers have set closing date for daily markets

The organizers of the very successful Really Really Free Markets on Hatteras Island, which have come to the aid of all islanders who have been victims of Hurricane Irene, have set some closing dates.

The Really Really Free Market in St. Waves Plaza in the tri-villages will continue every day until Friday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The market in Avon will continue every Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Tuesday evenings from 5 until 8 until Nov. 30.

After these two market close, the Really Really Free Market will return to its pre-hurricane schedule – the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. until noon at the Avon Fire Department.

“Really Really Free Market (RRFM) organizers on Hatteras Island want to first thank the countless supporters, volunteers, and generous donors both on the island and from all across the country for making such an amazing event possible,” they said in an e-mail to supporters and the media.

“Norman Bibeau of Elan Vacations donated the store front for the Waves RRFM and the neighboring storage space, and we owe him a great deal of thanks,” the organizers said. “The outpouring of love and aid has been tremendous since the market set up that first weekend after the storm hit. It is also truly amazing to see residents from every village on the island pull together and donate hours and hours of time away from their families to help those in need.”

The organizers encourage all residents to come in to one of the markets and get the items they need before the closing.

Once the daily markets have ended, all leftover items will be distributed to the Hotline thrift stores, island food pantries and to the Dare County Department of Social Services. Any fire departments or churches that would like to store items can contact organizers to arrange this.

At this time, while no donations will be turned away, to ensure that all of the collected donations find homes, organizers ask that only requested items be donated.

Also, monetary donations will continue to be collected for the island food pantries to best serve the residents of Hatteras Island throughout the winter. Checks can be made to either Hatteras Island Food Pantry and sent to the United Methodist Men at P.O. Box 1591, Buxton, NC 27920 or the Lifeboat Community Church and mailed to P.O. Box 84, Salvo NC 27972.  Your donation is tax deductible.

The Hatteras Island Angel Tree program is still in need of new, unwrapped toys and new clothing and shoes for children ages 2-17. These items can be dropped off at either RRFM location. Finally, free market warm clothing will also be available at the Hatteras Island Community Fair on Nov. 19 at Cape Hatteras Secondary School.

“Again, our heartfelt thanks to all of the individuals, churches, and businesses that donated so much to our island home,” the organizers said. “You have helped so many families find their way on the road to recovery!”

Please call Jenn Augustson at 252-216-6558 to sign-up to volunteer or for other questions.


CURRENT MOST NEEDED/REQUESTED ITEMS:

• Non perishable food items, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner fixings and any kind of non-perishable (canned or dried) proteins, and children's snacks
• Gently used furniture, especially beds, refrigerators, and stoves.  Any homeowners, especially non-resident property owners who may be trading out furniture or appliances, please let market organizers know so they can arrange for someone who needs them to have them.
• 3T Boys’ Clothing -- jackets/sweatshirts, pants, socks.
• Cat food/kitty litter.
• Plastic totes with lids.
• Halloween candy and small toys for trick-or-treat and Halloween Costumes.
• New pillows.
• Sweatshirts (especially “hoodies”).
• Dish and laundry detergent.
• Christmas ornaments and Christmas lights
• Boys’ clothing, size 6 to 18
• Basketball shorts, basketball shoes (kids 5-17 years old)
• Tools. Many tri-village and Avon residents used their tools to make a living, and lost them in the storm.