By Mike Coppens
A member of St. Martin’s Parish
The old saying, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is never more evident than at the annual St. Martin of Tours rummage sale, about to launch its 20th edition. This year’s sale will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday August 24-26 at the church, 5855 East W Avenue.
Deb Stafinski, Deena Anderson and Janet Kosacek are ramrodding the sale, and at their suggestion, special extended hours will be held on the 24th to accommodate working families who want to get in on the action. Thursday’s hours will be 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday’s 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday’s 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
A desire to come up with a church fundraiser in 1997 led to the suggestion of a rummage sale, according to Fred Maxa, who along with his late wife Toni, headed up the first few sales. According to Maxa, the first ones were a challenge because of the space used to hold it. Those first sales were held in the building called Seton Hall, which has a classroom layout, so items were separated by room and the spaces quickly filled up.
Everything improved with the coming of the new church in 2002. The old sanctuary was converted into a parish hall and the sale has been held there ever since. Donations of items begin August 14. The collection hours are August 14, and 16, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Hours on August 15, 17 and 19 are from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The only items not accepted are computers and accessories, exercise equipment, artificial Christmas trees, televisions, infant and child car seats and tires. Volunteers will help unload.
It might be easier to ask what isn’t for sale. Clothes make up a huge part of it, but whether it’s pots, pans, glassware, dishes, books, toys, games and puzzles, tools, electronics, VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs, books, jewelry, sporting equipment or artificial flowers, something for everyone can be found somewhere. Prices on everything are extra reasonable, and Saturday everything is half off.