People looking to get a head start on spring cleaning, or who are searching for some good deals before the start of yard sale season, will be in for a treat later this month, as members of Dowagiac’s Zeta Chi sorority host their inaugural “Spring Fling” fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 25.

The indoor yard sale will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dowagiac Middle School. Private sellers and vendors from throughout the area will offer their wares to customers during the event, which is designed to raise money for the sorority’s annual college scholarship.

The sorority is currently selling 8 feet by 20 feet of booth space for the event. The cost will be $20 for people who plan to use their own table and $25 for those who want one provided by organizers.

“The event is open to anyone who wants to sell,” said Vicki Foote, one of the organizers of the sale. “It is kind of like a mom to mom event, but we are letting people sell whatever they want.”

Zeta Chi, one of several local subchapters of the national Beta Sigma Phi service organization, is planning the event as a replacement for its previous annual bowling night fundraiser, which was hosted at the now defunct Sister Lakes Bowling Alley. The annual event raised money for the sorority’s Toni Shaer Memorial Scholarship, a $250 award given each spring to a Dowagiac Union High School senior girl.

The fundraiser is inspired by a former event hosted by the Lewis Cass ISD’s Great Start program, where Foote works.

“There is a lot interest these days in recycling and up-cycling,” Foote said. “There are no yard sales this time of year either, so people are itching to get rid of some old stuff and find some great deals.”

Vendors will be able to set their own prices on the products they sell during the event, and will be able to keep all the money from sales. There will be no cost for admission.

In addition to raising money through selling booth space for the sale, members of Zeta Chi will sell concessions such as hot dogs, pizza and candy during the event, with profits going toward the scholarship, Foote said.

People wishing to book space for the event may call Foote at (269) 665-0861 or can fill out an online form at http://goo.gl/forms/f1ln93dnbj5nSTEV2.

“We encourage people to come out to get some great deals and contribute to a great cause,” Foote said.