Christ Church Rummage Sale Celebrates 89 Years

The Winnetka Christ Church Rummage Sale may only be held two days per year, but organizers spend the entire year getting ready for it.

"We collect donations 300 days per year," said Charlotte McGee, "Rummage Queen" and the coordinator of the sale. "We pick up furniture once per month and store off-site. Everything else, we sort through and store here or across the street."

Christ Church's Rummage Sale is one of the largest in the country, with 31 "departments" full of deals, ranging from the French Room (full of designer clothing) to Infants to Accessories — and everything else imaginable.

"We pre-sort everything," McGee said. "We take out everything stained, torn and dirty and we donate it to a rag guy or recycling."

The Church hosts two sales — a smaller one in early summer and a large one in the fall. Last year's sales raised around $290,000 — and all the profits were distributed to over 50 charities.

"If you come here and you shop here, you're not only recycling, but you're getting a deal and all the money goes to charity," explained Rena Kowalski, who runs public relations for the event.

Kowalski and McGee are assisted by 71 department chairmen and a whole team of volunteers. Those who volunteer 10 hours, as well as two hours on the day of the sale, can shop the rummage a day early, with a 25 percent mark-up on all items.

In its 89-year history, the sale has had a few notable items donated — including a collection of catalogs from Elizabeth Taylor's auction (the catalogs alone were worth $2,000 — $3,000) and a piece of art that was worth $1,000.

"Every now and then, we get something really good," McGee said. "We're torn — do we keep it and sell it to customers, or do we maximize our profits [for charity]?"

This year's Christ Church Rummage Sale was held Thursday, Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. A slideshow of items that were for sale is available here.