United Methodist Women rummage sale benefits local charities

United Methodist Women are hosting a "Good Things" rummage sale at the First United Methodist Church in Elgin through Saturday, with proceeds going to local Elgin charities, focusing on organizations which support women and children.

The event kicked off Thursday evening and club president Kathy Long of West Dundee described it as "magnificent." She said the line to get in was all the way down the block.

The event was organized by co-chairs Rita Corbett and Annette Schramm, both of Elgin, and Carolyn Barclay of Gilberts, all of whom are members of United Methodist Women. Corbett conceived the idea of setting up the sale like a home with eight rooms. Items were gathered and arranged on display in "rooms" marked office, kitchen, dining room, children's room, bedroom, attic and so forth.

"The attic would probably be more what people would think of as a rummage sale, but the rest of it was not a rummage sale. The rest of it was a house sale," Corbett said.

Though the idea wasn't necessarily created to be an annual event, though if it's deemed successful, it might become one. "We've been very fortunate. We've had so many wonderful things donated and a lot of good customers," Schramm said.

The sale continues 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Shoppers will be given a large paper bag in which they fill with items from the "attic" for just $5, and most of the items in the "house" area will be half-price. For more information, go to fumcelgin.org.