Barrington UMC prepares for rummage sale
Do you love finding a great bargain?
The Barrington United Methodist Women are busy preparing for their much anticipated annual Rummage Sale on Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road (southeast corner of Route 59) in Barrington.
The sale will take place from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 8. There will be a half-price sale from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 7 in selected departments. Those departments will close at 4:45 p.m., and then reopen at 5 p.m. for the half-price sale. Plus, Saturday shoppers can take advantage of the bargain Bag Sale, with all of the goodies you can fit into a $5 bag in selected departments.
Loyal shoppers will want to note the sale is the Friday and Saturday before Columbus Day again this year.
The sale fills up an entire wing of the church and includes a tent full of furniture. The lower level contains clothing (including men’s, women’s and children’s), shoes, purses, and children’s toys. Departments upstairs include electronics, lamps, books, CDs, videos, computer hardware and software, house wares, tools, linens, holiday items, crafts and fabrics. Countless volunteers help to sort, organize, and price the incredible array of items. Furniture, bikes, sporting goods, and lawn items are just some of the departments that fill the tent to the seams.
One of the outstanding areas not to be missed is the “French Room” filled with carefully selected, high quality items, including china, jewelry, clothing, antiques and collectibles, and other amazing treasures.
“You can find most anything from designer label clothing and famous maker purses to fine lace antique tablecloths, crystal, or a piece of heirloom jewelry,” said committee chair Mary Mellon. Committee members include Sherrie Anuskewicz, Norma Jung-Stein, Nancy Koutsis, Pam Larsen, Linda Osikowicz, Carolyn Schneider, Sandy Starnes, and Mary Williams.
The Barrington United Methodist Rummage Sale is not just another rummage sale. It’s an institution in the community begun during the Depression. Started as a trade between families, it evolved into a rummage sale so others experiencing hard times could share the abundance. Now, almost 80 years later, it continues to serve the same purpose: help families extend their purchasing power during difficult economic times.
“The sale is a great opportunity to find some unique treasures and bargains. But more importantly, it provides funds for many worthy organizations and provides families a way to stretch their budget with a selection of needed items at a low price,” said committee member Carolyn Schneider.
Proceeds from the sale are distributed to many groups, including many local and Chicago-based organizations that work with women, children, and youth. A special emphasis this year is being given to local food banks. Funds are also sent to the national organization of United Methodist Women, the largest denominational faith organization for women with approximately 800,000 members, who contribute to charitable programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world.
“Donating items is a great way to ‘be green’ — it’s a way of recycling and keeps usable items out of landfills,” added Nancy Koutsis.
Items that are not sold also find new homes: furniture and clothing are donated to St. Anne’s Project Hope, clothing also goes to Home of the Sparrow, clothing and household items are given to Cancer Federation, and specialty items are given to Hands of Hope.
Donations of goods will be accepted from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4; and 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Oct. 5. Tax donation receipts will be readily available. Any and all volunteers are welcome to help unpack, sort, and distribute merchandise.
“We are so thankful for the many, many individuals who contribute items to the sale, the businesses who offer their support, and to the many volunteers who help prepare for the sale. We all have a great time!” said Nancy Koutsis. “And more importantly we look forward to seeing the many customers who come year after year to take advantage of our many bargains and great finds.”
For information regarding donations and volunteering, contact (847) 836-5540 or visit www.barringtonumc.com.
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