NAMPA -- Every year, thousands of dollars from the Mercy Community Sale help Nampa kids.

Proceeds of the sale have built a skate park, funded Boys and Girls Club programs, helped Syringa House and purchased materials for Nampa classrooms.

And kids know it. Sale organizers estimate that more than 100 local youth will volunteer at the event this year. Hundreds more have donated silent auction items and signed up to represent their schools at information booths in the Idaho Center mezzanine.

Event organizer Lynn Borud said at least 50 high school students will work through Friday to set up the sale. Saturday, Nampa High School football players will help people carry out their purchases.

After it is all over, more than 1,200 youth will take part in a free, thank-you concert for the community on Monday.

"We believe in the theme that 'all kids are our kids,'" Borud said. "We've been trying to partner with them. You can't put a value on a grassroots community campaign where people give back. They feel great about giving back to the community."

Jay Hummel, assistant superintendent of the Nampa School District, said the district benefits from the sale at least twice. The spotlight on what schools are doing is priceless.

"Teachers and kids are working really hard to do some great things," Hummel said, adding that the Mercy Community Sale provides a showcase for some of the innovative ideas in Nampa classrooms.

Schools also benefit financially. The Nampa Schools Foundation receives 25 percent of the sale's proceeds.

Jerry Jutting, chairman of the foundation, said the money goes back into Nampa's public school classrooms.

"We had 99 grant requests (from teachers) this year," Jutting said. "We were able to fund at least part of 55 of them."

The foundation has funded teacher-initiated projects, curriculum and supplies to the tune of a quarter-million dollars since its inception 10 years ago.

"A lot of teachers are asking for pretty basic things," he said. "That shows you how strapped our budget money is. We try to fill the gaps."

Hummel said money makes a difference.

"Every year, it's huge," he said. "The money comes back, and it goes very close to the kids, to the classroom level. It's a wonderful help."

If you go

The Mercy Community Sale will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Idaho Center, near the corner of Can-Ada and Franklin roads. Admission is free, but organizers encourage donations of non-perishable food items. Donated food qualifies the donor for a chance to win a 1991 Ford Aerostar.

Schools and youth-serving organizations will be featured in the Idaho Center mezzanine.

A live auction will take place during the last hour of the sale.

"Teachers and kids are working really hard to do some great things." -- Jay Hummel, Assistant Superintendent of the Nampa School District

To help

The Nampa Schools Foundation receives 25 percent of the money raised at the Mercy Community Sale, but the non-profit organization also accepts individual gifts.

To make a donation, contact Reese Verner at 465-1720 or mail it to the Nampa Schools Foundation at P.O. Box 874, Nampa, ID 83653.

Find more at the Idaho Press-Tribune.