The Ladies Board of Inova Loudoun Hospital's 68th Hospital Rummage Sale grossed a record-breaking $118,000. Held this past Friday and Saturday at the Morven Park Equestrian Center at Leesburg, the sale exceeded last year's event by $16,000.

All profits from the sale go toward patient care needs, nursing scholarships and are applied toward The Ladies Board's $1,000,000 capital building campaign pledge. "We are thrilled with the results," said Barbara Gardner, Ladies Board president, who added that "this is our fifth consecutive year of record-breaking sales." "I am continually amazed at the level of community support—with the donations, the generous volunteer help, and the number of people who come out to shop for great bargains every year," said Sue Clewis, sale chairman. Clewis, a second-generation Ladies Board member, along with board members and volunteers spent last week at the center unloading and unpacking donations of every size and description in readiness for the two-day sale.

Top selling departments included the French Room, a moniker for designer labels; Furniture; and Antiques. Judy Mazzucchelli, chairman of Furniture, said her department was ahead of last year at the end of the sale's first day. Treasures were also in abundance, such as an antique Persian rug, a Thomas Kincade canvas lithograph, a large collection of die-cast NASCAR models, stunning evening wear, and enough working electronics to stock a store.

According to Clewis, shoppers came from all over the region (including a few from the west coast this year) including Washington, D.C., Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. "Many learned about the sale from family who live in Loudoun and knew it was worth the drive," said Clewis, who added that the sale is an annual adventure for many bargain hunters.

The Lost and Found department was kept busy this year too, and now has a stash of glasses and personal items, such as a cell phone, misplaced at the sale. Call Margaret Vaughn at 540-338-6221 to claim any belongings left by accident at the sale.

Dates for next year's sale are Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20, at Morven Park.

The Ladies Board of Inova Loudoun Hospital is a non-profit organization with the mission to promote goodwill between the hospital and the community, and to raise funds for nursing scholarships, patient services and special project needs. The Ladies Board operates the Twice Is Nice thrift shop in Leesburg, the Hospital Gift Shop, the Lights of Love remembrance program and the annual rummage sale. More information is available at www.LadiesBoard.org or by calling 703-771-2985.