ALEDO, Ill. — Amber Fox and Jessica Brown have been Facebook friends for a few years. They connected when Brown started a weekly basement sale in Aledo every Sunday.
Brown gets a lot of help from her best friend, Zachary, which is why it's called Zachy and Jessie's Sunday Basement Sale.
“She does an amazing job with her basement sale. It’s like full of good stuff that people donate to her and she does everything at what you can afford so if you can’t afford much… she’ll just take it and that’s good," said Fox.
The proceeds from the sale are going back into the community, and Brown earned the Pay It Forward award, which was sponsored by Ascentra Credit Union.
Brown started the basement sale 2 years ago after her mom was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. Unfortunately, she lost her dad over 5 years prior to lung and colon cancer.
“I started a weekly basement sale to earn money to help her with her food and travel costs to and from her oncology appointments," said Brown.
Brown's mom passed away in March, but she continued to do the basement sale after seeing how much the community needed. Part of the proceeds goes towards a memorial garden for her parents and the rest goes to buying items that people may need.
“I got some young mothers that are in desperate need right now of like diapers and formula and stuff like that so I do buy the hygiene products and diaper, baby items and put it down there also so they can have access to that," said Brown.
Brown's parents showed her the importance of helping others and why she continues to do all she can for her community.
“I don’t feel like I deserve it… I know my mom and dad are smiling down though from heaven I can feel them right now. I am just so very thankful… thank you," said Brown.
If you want to connect with Brown, donate items, or learn more about the sale you can visit her Facebook page.
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for his or her community? News 8 and Ascentra Credit Union would like to help you Pay it Forward to them. Click here to nominate someone you know.
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