Mom-to-Mom sale keeps kids cool, costs down

Jenn Cross dresses Carson, Kennedy and Carter in Mom-to-Mom style.

Jenn Cross’ three children are the epitome of style -- Carson sports a brand new zip hoodie, Kennedy has a cool new backpack and little Carter’s feet are clad in bright new tennis shoes. How can she afford to keep her kids looking so cool? “Mom-to-Mom sales!” said Cross, “I bought all of those items for $8 total at a recent Mom-to-Mom sale.”

These great Mom-to-Mom finds encouraged Cross, of Sterling Heights, to organize Mom-to-Mom sales at her church, Zion Christian Church in Troy. Cross has organized seven Mom-to-Mom sales for Zion over the past five years. Zion’s most recent sale in November of 2010 attracted more than 600 shoppers and Cross expects that number to grow this year. Zion’s next Mom-to-Mom sale is on March 5, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature more than 70 tables filled with children’s clothing, books and toys.

First-time mom Danette Gralewski of Troy has recently become a fan of Mom-to-Mom sales as her one-year-old daughter Avery grows and she prepares for a second child to arrive soon. “Mom-to-Mom sales are the best place to get the biggest bang for your buck. Kids grow out of their clothes quickly, so it's nice to know that I can get cute and stylish, yet affordable clothes.”

Gralewski attended Zion’s November Mom-to-Mom sale and plans to attend the March sale as well. “It's my favorite place to shop!” said Gralewski, “Zion’s Mom-to-Mom sales always have great vendors and it's at a perfect location.”

The event will be held at Zion’s gymnasium building located at 3668 Livernois in Troy. Admission is $1 and strollers are welcome.

Mom-to-Mom sales also offer a unique opportunity for moms to sell gently used items that their children have outgrown. Zion’s Mom-to-Mom sale offers local parents table rentals for $20. At press time, Cross had five tables left for rental. For more information on renting a table, call Jenn Cross at 248-524-2400 x333.

"As a mother of 3 young children, I understand how expensive it can be to keep them in clothes that fit,” said Cross, “Zion's annual Mom to Mom sale aims to connect mothers from all over metro Detroit with the same goals- saving money, recycling and helping other moms in this difficult economic time.”

Proceeds from table rentals and admission at Zion’s Mom-to-Mom sale benefit Grace Centers of Hope and other non-profit organizations in Oakland County.

Located in Troy, Zion Christian Church is an independent Christian church and a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization serving Southeast Michigan since 1955. For additional information, visit zionchristian.org or call 248-524-2400.