CULLMAN, Ala. – Can an idea mentioned in passing lead to something that helps others? For Dan and Vevyette Crane of Cullman, that is exactly what happened. Three years ago, having an after-dinner conversation about how they might help others during the holidays, they remembered something they’d heard, and put that idea into action.
Both are active members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. Dan serves as a knight in the local Knights of Columbus Council 1484, and Vevyette participates as a member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society. Both have a heart for the work that the Society of St. Vincent DePaul does with their food bank.
“We were talking one evening about ways we might help St. Vincent DePaul when we suddenly remembered something one of the Knights said years ago. Joe Pace was the Grand Knight at that time, and he mentioned selling used Christmas decorations to raise money,” Vevyette said.
They discussed how they could put that idea into action, and the “Christmas in September” sale was born.
The Cranes brought the idea to the Knights and the Altar Society, and both were on board to make it happen. “We thought ‘Christmas in September’ was a cute name for it,” Vevyette said. “We thought about ‘Christmas in July’ on television and just went with it.”
This is the third year the sale has taken place at Sacred Heart, and the Cranes are looking forward to this year’s sale on Sept. 19-20. Throughout the year, people donate their gently-used decorations from every holiday and they are displayed and sold at the annual “Christmas in September” sale.
“If you think about it, we’re doing the donors a favor. Most everybody has holiday and Christmas decorations in their garage or basement that they are no longer using. We’ll take them off your hands,” Dan said.
He added they have received donations that included some very nice and expensive ones. “We so appreciate the donations we have received from people these past few years. They have been so nice,” he said.
Along the way, their good friend and fellow Altar Society member Cynthia Daniel has partnered with them to make the sales a great success. Vevyette stated that Cynthia and other people in the Knights and Altar Society have helped tremendously.
In 2024, the sale raised $3,250 and in 2025, it raised $5,000. The money is used to purchase food for holiday meals for those in need.
“People have been so generous and helpful, and we are grateful for that,” Dan added.
The 2026 “Christmas in September” Sale will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 20, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Family Life Center Gym at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located at 112 Second Ave. SE in Cullman.
Donations of gently used holiday decorations for the sale are being accepted through Sept. 13. For more information, contact Vevyette Crane at 256-682-6960 or Cynthia Daniel at 256-385-0320.
