Cindy Hughes of Sykesville suffered an unimaginable loss on Nov. 7, 2003 when her son Josh was killed in a car accident near Liberty High School.

In order to honor him and other young men and women who died too soon, Hughes started plans for Maryland’s first Angel of Hope Garden in Sykesville.

She secured the land, the construction help and volunteer manpower, but for the $100,000 project, Hughes and the J.O.S.H. Foundation, named after her son, are still in search of money to complete the garden at the South Carroll Senior Center.

In order to make this a reality, the J.O.S.H. Foundation is running a consignment store at the Carrolltown Mall in the former Carrolltown Liquor space with the help of a rental deal worked out with Black Oak Associates.

“People don’t really know we’re there, but I know a lot of people shop consignment sales and many people are surprised by the quality of the items we have once they find out where we are,” said Hughes.  

The consignment shop which Hughes calls their “Children’s Charity Sale,” offers clothes for children and teens in addition to toys, baby equipment, gifts still with tags and a special selection of holiday items.

“It’s always a struggle with the holiday the way it is with the economy so we’re hoping to help people with great gifts for great prices and in turn the community is helping us fund a project that will help so many people honor their loved ones,” said Hughes.

The consignment shop located at 6400 Ridge Road in Eldersburg is completely volunteer run and is open Wednesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday and Friday noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Find more information about the J.O.S.H. Foundation by visiting their website here.