Shop the 15th Annual Truly Priceless Garage Sale
The very popular 15th Annual Truly Priceless Garage Sale is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 303 N. Hickory Ave., in Arlington Heights, only a short distance from Recreation Park.
At this event, unpriced goods will be available to anyone for the donation that their heart prompts them to give to one or more of five life-saving charities. This event is co-sponsored by the St. James Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the St. James Respect Life Ministry.
The idea for a Truly Priceless Garage Sale came to Marybeth and Mike Schoenwald 14 years ago when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Many people there lost all their possessions.
In stark contrast, in the Schoenwald's neighborhood, they could see many usable items left out on the curb for garbage collection. This inspired them to raise money for the victims of the hurricane by selling items at a garage sale.
Because the task of pricing items at a garage sale is a huge chore, the Schoenwalds decided to let shoppers make a donation to either Catholic Charities or the American Red Cross which were both heavily involved with the relief efforts in New Orleans.
Over time, the charities supported by the garage sale have changed and expanded. The current list of charities includes Catholic Charities and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, who provide assistance for those experiencing serious financial hardship, and the Women's Center, the Pro-Life Action League, and the Center for Hope and Healing, all of whom help women in unplanned pregnancies.
This event has been very successful - more than $31,000 has been earned for the charities supported, and, in the process, many people have been helped. There have been many wonderful stories over the years of people procuring just the right sink, perfect stationary, wedding and designer clothing, carpentry tools, etc. In addition, the stories of the varied donors have been as interesting as those of the shoppers. They feel that this is a good place to donate treasured, but unneeded items - that they don't want to go "just anywhere."
Many people have been relieved to have cleaned out their own houses. Local stores and even religious orders have donated goods. Sometimes, shoppers have returned with items of their own to donate, and some have even stayed to help with the sale.