Anyone who would like to lend a hand as Jackie Smith works to rebuild her beloved Franklinton cake shop will have several opportunities to do so through a rummage sale scheduled for next month.

Jackie’s Cake Shop was destroyed last month in a fire, and all the merchandise was lost. Smith wants to get the shop up and running again, and the rummage sale, set for April 5 and 6, was organized to assist in that effort, said Terry Seal.

“This is to help her rebuild,” Seal said. “Jackie has always been a person who has donated so many things to so many causes and has helped so many people. We just felt that this would be a way of giving back to her and helping her during this bad time.”

“She has no insurance, and we’re trying to help her in any way we can,” added Lorrell Morris, Smith’s sister.

Smith is known parishwide, Morris said. She has been in the cake, flower and fabric business for 32 years and has worked on weddings and other occasions in Franklinton, Bogalusa and beyond.

The sale will take place on Greenlaw Avenue, in the building located in between Crain’s Fish Market and the slab that remains of Jackie’s Cake Shop. Those who would like to donate garage sale-type items can deliver them to the building the week of April 1-4. The organizers request that the items not include clothes, since there is no place to display them. Someone will be onsite to accept and sort the donations, Seal said.

Anyone available to volunteer in helping to get things ready can stop by that week or call Donna Stier at 839-5046, Morris at 839-9163, Smith at 839-9756, Seal at 839-3279 or Cindy Richards at 839-5681.

Two raffles will be held, one for an $800 grill and the other for several smaller items. New items for the raffle are also being accepted. Call any of the organizers to donate an item or purchase a raffle ticket.

Fittingly, the event will include a bake sale. Cakes, pies and other sweets can be dropped off at the rummage sale site on Thursday, April 4 or Friday, April 5. In addition to baked goods, hot dogs will be available for purchase during the rummage sale.

An account has been set up at Whitney Bank for anyone who would like to make a monetary donation.