Families from Eastgate Elementary School’s Woodridge neighborhood are joining forces this weekend to put together a large garage sale for a friend in need.

Organized by Woodridge resident Kelly Kneeland, the garage sale will help Eastgate’s custodian Gabriel Yel with the costs of bringing his wife and two daughters to the United States from Sudan.

Yel, a refugee who was granted permission to come to the United States via the International Rescue Committee, has been living and working in Bellevue for the past 11 years; he has spent three of those years trying to get immigration papers in order so that his family can join him in the states.

“I thought this was a great way to raise funds for Gabriel. Everyone in the Eastgate community knew his story and we thought we could help him,” Kneeland said. “And that he could use the help.” Their goal is to reach $4,500 to contribute to plane tickets for Yel’s family.

Kneeland has already collected $2,100 in donations and hopes to collect more donations for Yel on Saturday. The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1505 125th Ave. SE, and will include a variety of items: children’s books, toys, and educational-focused materials.

The fundraiser is not a Bellevue School District event, but is being organized by families and community members on their own accord.