Who ever imagined that cleaning out your closet could be good for your community and for the environment?
The Winnetka Congregational Church has put this philosophy to the test, throughout a 90-year history of hosting their annual Spring Rummage Sale, as they did this year, on May 11.
Fleury Linn is a Winnetka resident, a 30-year member of the Winnetka Congregational Church and a longtime rummage sale volunteer.
“The old adage that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure has always been true,” Linn said.
The rummage sale tradition started by church founders in 1902, has grown into an annual sale now featuring over twenty departments from furniture, to children’s clothing, housewares, books, holiday décor, designer wear, sporting goods and more.
This year’s sale required three locations to for sale merchandise: Winnetka Congregational Church at 725 Pine Street, Winnetka Harkness Outreach Center at 630 Lincoln Avenue and Winnetka Community House at 620 Lincoln Avenue.
“While the concept of recycling and repurposing are more popular than ever before, we hold this fundraising event as we always have, to benefit Chicago area nonprofits, with all net proceeds from the sale going to support the important work that they do,” Linn said.
Jane Huels, general chair of the rummage outreach committee at Winnetka Congregational Church, says they accept donations all year and the mission of the rummage sale allows them to support organizations that address the basic needs of well-being like homelessness, hunger, education, health, mental health, violence prevention, victim support, refugee and immigration services and much more.
“Beyond the funds we raise, the event supports fellowship of our over 200 volunteers, church members, members of the community, some local and others who travel to Winnetka from out of state to participate,” Huels said. “We’ve really become one big family with people coming back year after year to help sort, pack and sell the goods for charity.”
Huels says very little goes into the garbage because the event is all about taking care of the earth.
As stewards of the environment, organizers say they are committed doing good, which explains why even unsold items are donated to receiving organizations like WINGS, Chicago Furniture Bank, Connections for the Homeless, USA Gain and others.
2023 Rummage sale charities like A Just Harvest, CASA Lake County, Connections for Abused Women and their Children, Counseling Center of the North Shore, Curt’s Café, Deborah’s Place, Family Service of Glencoe, Haven Youth and Family Services, Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.), Howard Area Community Center, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Onward Neighborhood House, Ravenswood Community Services, United Church of Rogers Park Meal Program, and WINGS Program, Inc. and many others submit applications to the rummage sale outreach committee for consideration.
Funding applications are reviewed and determined in the fall.
Evanston resident Peg Nelson attended on Thursday.
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“We come every year to shop and have donated items for number of years as well, although I generally come determined not to buy anything, I always find something I feel I just must have,” Nelson said. “Hard to beat repurposing for a good cause.”
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.