by Paolo Mossetti

A community association is accepting knickknacks, trinkets and all sorts of unused items from area residents, all for a good cause.

The Bedford-Mosholu Community Association is now accepting recycled goods for its 33rd annual Flea Market scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 8th at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church at 360 Bedford Park Blvd.

“We collect new and used items, except clothing,” said Barbara Stronczer, the group’s longtime lead organizer, explaining that the venue has no space for “people who can try on the items.”

Stronczer also added that all the funds collected at the flea market go toward operating expenses of the organization.

The flea market is the association’s biggest event, aimed at recharging the kitty to help cover operation costs.  Stronczer recalled the group coming up with the plan years back after kicking around ideas that would “keep our overhead low.”

But beyond the monetary gain, Stronczer sees this as a thrilling event for the neighborhood, drawing plenty of locals who’ve grown tired of hunkering down during the winter.   Volunteers usually man tables, including members of NYPD Explorers, Auxiliary Officers, and Officers from the 52nd Precinct Community Affairs.

“Many of our volunteers help by preparing the articles for sale and setting up our wares,” said Stronczer.

A not-for-profit association composed of neighborhood volunteers, the Bedford-Mosholu Community Association has served the area since 1975. Aimed at improving the quality of life in the leafy area, the group has often been at the forefront to take the pulse of hot-button issues.

Currently, the association is active in neighborhood clean-ups, graffiti removal, and the maintenance of a community garden along Mosholu Parkway. They have assisted several neighborhood buildings with heating problems and other service issues that are brought up during its monthly meetings, which attract representatives from police, fire, sanitation, and postal agencies.  Elected officials, landlords and commercial developers have also stopped by.

Stronczer estimates an average of 150 people attending the neighborhood bazaar. Among the items most frequently on sale are china, glassware, lamps, jewelry, toys, games, linens, house ware, electronics and pictures.