Over 40,000 items were donated the Kids Market over the last three days.

WINONA LAKE — The semi-annual Kids Market sale kicked off this morning, and with over 361 consignors having donated, it is set to help charities and families all around Kosciusko. The market, which takes place every spring and fall, has been running since 2001, and has accrued over $200,000 overall for charities and non-profits since its creation.

Over the past two days, consignors lined up along Park Avenue to donate to Kids Market.

The sale started at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at Rodeheaver auditorium after 200 volunteers spent hours over the past few days bringing in and arranging different items to be sold. Families from around the county brought in items such as clothes, hats, gloves, diapers, bedding, shoes, toys, games and just about anything else a child could need. There were even maternity clothes for those expecting children.

Run by a non-profit called Kids Market Inc., the goal is to raise money for women and children’s charities such as Project Independence, Heartline, Combined Community Services and even some preschools around the area.

Shoes were just one department of the many different kids of items donated.

During the spring sale, Kids Market finally reached its first goal of $200,000. When asked about their new goals, president of Kids Market Inc., Joye Andrew, said “we are just going to keep raising the goal. Now, we just have to make it to $250,000.”

Items at the sale profit both charities and families in Kosciusko. 66 percent of proceeds go to the families who donated them, benefitting families with children, while 33 percent of the proceeds go to non-profits. Andrews said “we are really trying to benefit everyone, and widen the scope of our impact. The parents are making money, and the charities are making money.”

Two days before the sale, 200 volunteers helped bring in and sort over 40,000 items. Each volunteer works for four hours, and the consignment line during these times stretches down Park Avenue.

The sale ends at 5 p.m. today, Sept. 19.