It’s garage sale season again, and none know that better than local fund-raisers.

Last weekend saw one of the year’s first summer fund-raising garage sales, outside of the Lake Cowichan Royal LePage office, where donated items lined the building’s exterior in support of the Duncan-based Somenos Transition House.

“This community is very supportive,” Somenos House counsellor Angela Long said, adding that last year’s garage sale raised $1,200 for the organization.

The Somenos Transition House is located in Duncan, and serves to house around six women at a time, who are escaping abusive relationships.

The exact location of the house is confidential.

“That’s to protect the women (and children) that are there, because some have been stalked by their partner,” Long explained.

The house serves the entirety of the Cowichan Valley, including the Cowichan Lake area.

They help with emergency housing for an average of 200 women and children per year, in their building’s 10 beds.

The money raised during the garage sale will to toward the group’s ongoing building renovations.

“It’s an older home, so it requires care,” program supervisor Tina Schoen said.

Last year’s garage sale contributions went toward painting and re-flooring two bedrooms.

This year’s contributions will go toward continuing the project in the building’s three other bedrooms.

For more on the Somenos Transition House and their various services, they can be contacted at 250-748-8544.