Parking lot sale aids charity

Submitted Photo Fran Sansing displays some of her wares she will be selling at the UMW Parking Lot Sale on Saturday.

The United Methodist Women are sponsoring a Parking Lot Fund raiser on Saturday, March 17 at the Community Life Center from 8 a.m. till noon. The fundraiser will take place come rain or shine! The funds raised will support the Good Samaritan Clinic, Children's Services Center, International Habitat for Humanity and African Hunger Relief. These UMW ladies will be making money in four ways: The Parking Lot Sale where persons rent space with tables or space without tables to sell their own items and keep the profit; the UMW table where persons donate items to be sold and all the money goes to charity; the bake sale where persons donate baked items to sell; or the Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. till 10 a.m. where family and friends can enjoy pancakes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee at $4 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

Fran Sansing is one of those UMW ladies who will be renting space to sell her wares in the Parking Lot Sale. Fran grew up in Odenville, Ala. in St. Clair County near Birmingham. She earned a degree in Home Economics from Auburn University. Her early experiences included teaching Home Economics in Odenville schools and later taking a position with Birmingham Power. Fran met Art Sansing, pharmacy student, when he was a senior at Auburn and she was a freshman. They were married before he went off to war in World War II. After the war, Art's job with a Pharmaceutical company brought them to Pensacola.

Fran has really utilized her degree in Home Economics. After moving to Pensacola, she made the costumes for Mardi Gras parades for many years. She would sew for about three groups a year. Now she is into Mixed Media Art such as Acrylics on paper, working with Copper, artwork with gourds and creating jewelry with beads, pearls, coral and many others too numerous to name. Strolling through her house is like touring an art gallery of mixed media. When asked what her favorite activity was she responded, "Playing with beads and watching gourds grow"

Fran has three children, Sandy, Denise and Becky, five grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. Denise and Becky are just as talented as mom. Denise owns a manufacturing company called Sweet Dreams with five showrooms throughout the country and Becky makes all kinds of creative art. You will definitely see Fran Sansing and many others at The United Methodist Women Parking Lot Fund raiser on March 17 at the Community Life Center from 8 a.m. till noon.
Parking Lot Fundraiser
        8 a.m. to noon,
    Saturday, March 17,
  Community Life Center
(corner of Soundside Drive
          and Hwy. 98),
      Details: 932-3594