There will be numerous garage sales taking place Saturday, May 12 along the south end of Acre Lane. To the naked eye this wouldn't appear to be such an "out of the ordinary" event, considering that garage sales are not so infrequent an occurrence during the spring and summer months. This, however, is different. Each of the residents participating is doing so to help one of their neighbors through a difficult time.

Jim Cockren, a 45-year-old husband and father of two, lapsed into a coma after going to the hospital for an ablation. He remained in a coma for four weeks and when he awoke he was left with severe visual and perceptual disabilities. Since leaving the hospital Jim has been in rehabilitation, and subsequently, amassed large medical bills. Although Jim has been making great progress, the prognosis of his rehabilitation has been termed as long-term and the outpatient therapy he is now receiving is only partially covered by his insurance.

The friends and neighbors of the Cockrens have organized this event to help the Cockrens out with the costs of the therapy. They are hoping that even if you are not known to patronize garage sales you will come by and see what they have. There will also be a bake sale at the event. Donations can also be sent to 341 Acre Lane. For any information call Jenny at 681-6957.

"They are the nicest people," said Barbara Hoffer, a neighbor of the Cockrens' who is helping to organize the garage sale. "They are just an ordinary nice family and we are just an ordinary neighborhood trying to help someone because it could happen to anyone."

Hoffer recalled how Mr. Cockren, an optician, would, in a small way make her life a little easier. She described how her son, who wore glasses, would continually knock the lenses out of the frames and how Mr. Cockren gladly would fix the glasses on what seemed to be an almost weekly basis. She said it is small things like this that sum up Jim and his family.

In February the Aid Association for Lutherans sponsored a spaghetti dinner at Trinity Lutheran Church to raise money for the Cockren family. The event attracted almost 3000 people and was a huge success. Late last year a collection was also taken for the family.

The garage sale will be held this weekend at houses on the south end of Acre Lane, which is off of Levittown Parkway, north of Stewart Avenue. It will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The rain date is June 19.