Beth Sayles of Sayles Studio Inc. in Waterford Township needs to clear some space, and Lighthouse North in Clarkston needs help serving its clients.
It’s a win-win situation for both parties, therefore, as Sayles is offering people a chance to take home unused negatives and prints from weddings, births and anniversaries.
Sayles is asking those who are picking up those prints and negatives for a donation of any amount, and the proceeds will be given to Lighthouse North.
“I know a lot of people are in unemployment situations and hard times seem to be upon us,” Sayles said when asked why she chose Lighthouse as the recipient of the donations. “Lighthouse North seeks to meet the needs of people with not only food, but also clothing. Over the years, I’ve donated to Lighthouse North.”
According to Katie Stewart, manager of direct services for Lighthouse North, the money they receive from Sayles Studio will be used for the purchase of food.
“We have so many people coming to us that we’re always running out of food, so whatever money we get will be used toward that,” she said.
According to Stewart, a total of 124 families approached Lighthouse inquiring about food and clothing.
Sayles Studio has been in business since 1950, when it was started by Sayles’ parents, Harold “Red” and Alice. Beth Sayles has been involved with the business for 30 years.
“We established our business on high school seniors,” she said. “Our files go back to 1970. We have so many children and family files.”
According to Sayles, she’s already received inquiries from people interested in their old files. “Our phone’s been ringing already,” she said.
She also cleared out her inventory two years ago, and raised more than $2,000, the majority of which was donated to the Drayton Plains Nature Center in Waterford Township.
“At that time, we gave them a choice of three different organizations to donate to,” Sayles said. “The Drayton Nature Center was by far the most popular one. The others were the Waterford Historical Society and the Clarkston Village Players.”
Sayles requested those parties interested in receiving their old prints or negatives to E-mail Sayles Studio at saylesstudio@yahoo.com as opposed to calling the studio. “We hope that we’ll be a lot more efficient,” she said.