MOBILE, Ala. — Volunteers from across Midtown Mobile spent Saturday morning, Oct. 17, lifting collapsed tents and gathering scattered merchandise after strong winds tore through the grounds of Sacred Heart Residence the night before. The damage struck just ahead of the 55th annual Little Sisters of the Poor Lawn Party, one of the city’s longest-running charity traditions, which organizers said would go on as planned Sunday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gusts on Friday night, Oct. 16, crushed roughly three tents that had already been set up on the residence grounds at 1655 McGill Ave. Many of those tents held items for the event’s popular white elephant sale, and the wind sent goods flying across the property.
By Saturday afternoon, the residence reported that the community had answered its call for help, with two tents back up and the sale items cleaned up in time for the party.
Wind Catches Organizers Off Guard
Forecasts had called for breezy conditions Friday night, but the strength of the gusts surprised the people preparing for the event. The timing added to the frustration: the windy night came about a week after a hurricane had threatened the Mobile area, and many residents were not expecting another round of rough weather so soon.
“We were very surprised. I mean, we knew there were going to be some gusty winds last night, but we were very surprised that it was caused this much damage. And of course, as you can see, it’s really thrown things for a loop,” said Director of Development David Hyland.
According to the residence, the wind caused one tent to land on top of another and collapse. The collapse scattered the white elephant sale merchandise “all over the place,” as the residence described it in a social media post early Saturday.
A Call for Help Before Sunrise
At about 7 a.m. Saturday, the Little Sisters of the Poor-Sacred Heart Residence turned to its Facebook page to ask the public for assistance. The post explained what had happened overnight and laid out exactly what the organization needed.
“We are asking for help throughout the community,” the residence wrote. “Last night strong gusts of wind caused damage to some of the tents set up for our Lawn Party this Sunday.”
The post asked volunteers to help take down the damaged tents, clean up the debris and pick up the white elephant sale items. It invited anyone who was able to come by Sacred Heart Residence between about 8 and 9 a.m. to lend a hand. “If you or anyone you know is able to come by Sacred Heart Residence (1655 McGill Avenue) this morning around 8 or 9 am to help, we would truly appreciate it. Thank you,” the residence wrote.
People from around Midtown Mobile responded. Neighbors and supporters arrived to help put tents back up and sort clothing and other goods that had been strewn across the grounds, getting the sale ready for Sunday’s crowds.
Neighbors Answer, Repairs Completed
By about 2 p.m. Saturday, the residence posted an update with a message of gratitude. The organization said volunteers had managed to restore two of the damaged tents and clean up all of the scattered items.
“THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! We are truly blessed to have so many amazing people throughout the community,” the residence wrote. “Thank you to everyone who came this morning to help us in our time of need. Thank you to everyone who shared our post, called up friends, and made sure everything was ok.”
The post credited the turnaround to the people who showed up. “We were able to get two of the tents back up and get all the items cleaned up. We could not have done it without the support of this amazing community we are a part of. We are truly blessed!” the residence wrote.
The quick response reflects the deep ties between the residence and its Midtown neighbors. For many Mobile families, the lawn party is a fixture of the fall calendar, and the effort to save it came together within a matter of hours.
What the Lawn Party Supports
The Little Sisters of the Poor Lawn Party is a fundraiser, and the money it raises helps pay for long-term care for elderly people in Mobile who are poor. Sacred Heart Residence is the local home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, an international Roman Catholic congregation of women religious devoted to caring for the elderly poor.
The congregation traces its roots to France, where St. Jeanne Jugan began taking in poor, elderly women in the town of Saint-Servan in 1839. The order has since grown into a network of homes for the aged around the world, and Jugan was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.
Homes run by the Little Sisters rely heavily on charitable support from the communities around them, which is why events such as the Mobile lawn party carry real weight. A strong turnout at the white elephant sale and other attractions translates directly into resources for the residents the sisters serve.
This year marks the 55th edition of the Mobile event, a milestone that speaks to how many generations of local families have made the trip to McGill Avenue each fall.
Planning a Visit on Sunday
Organizers said the party will run as scheduled despite the storm damage. In its Saturday afternoon post, the residence urged the public to come out and enjoy the day. “We hope to see everyone tomorrow for our Lawn Party from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and we all enjoy a beautiful day of food, fellowship and fun!” the residence wrote.
Here is what visitors need to know:
- What: 55th annual Little Sisters of the Poor Lawn Party, including the white elephant sale
- When: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: Sacred Heart Residence, 1655 McGill Ave., Mobile
- Why it matters: Proceeds support long-term care for the elderly poor in Mobile
Anyone with questions about the event can check the Little Sisters of the Poor-Sacred Heart Residence Facebook page, where the organization has been posting updates throughout the weekend.
A Weekend That Showed Midtown’s Character
The scramble to rescue the lawn party came at the end of a stretch of unsettled weather for the Mobile area. After a week of watching a hurricane threat and then a blustery Friday night, the cleanup gave residents a chance to rally around a familiar cause.
For the Little Sisters and the elderly residents they care for, the volunteers who showed up early Saturday turned a potential setback into a story of neighbors helping neighbors. If Sunday’s weather cooperates, the 55th lawn party will close out a weekend that began with flattened tents and ended with a community on full display.
