Rummage Sale Reflections
My friend Ann agreed to co-chair our church’s bi-annual rummage sale this year. Having participated in three previous such events I looked at her as though she were smoking crack. (Is crack actually a thing any more?)
I calculated the number of volunteer hours required to pull off a rummage sale is in the neighborhood of 800 just in the week preceding the sale and the two days of the actual event. My allergies went into hyper-drive just anticipating the dust emanating from boxes of belongings closed up for decades. People love off-loading their bygone treasures and their junk. They also don’t’ hesitate to weigh in on the price. “What do you mean pricing those golf clubs at $40?! one man demanded. “I paid $400 for the driver alone!” Sorry pal, this is a rummage sale.
From a cost benefit analysis, Iquestion whether it’s physically and financially worth it. “Can’t we just urge anyone who mightvolunteer to donate $50 to $100 and call it a day?” I asked. “We will probably make as much money.”
On one hand the money raised willgo to support programming in our church. The First Congregational Church of Winter Park enjoys the distinction ofbeing the first church built in Winter Park, Florida. The church was built by Congregationalistswhose roots originated with the Puritans. Throughout the rummage sale I waxed on with visitors about our church’sprogressive theology and historic mission of social justice. Our church founded Rollins College; ourfirst minister was the first president of the college. We founded the first African Americanseminary in the area. Following a speechsupporting integration, the KKK burned a cross on the church’s front lawn. Our church encouraged and supported thecreation of The Jeremiah Project, a creative arts program for at-riskteens. Our youth mission trips take kidsto communities in great need where hard work, respect, and compassionsubstitute for proselytizing.
On the other hand, my evenings, andthose of many others, consisted of Epson salt baths to ease aching backs, sorefeet, and pulled muscles. I also spentmore than a couple Happy Hours with my hand wrapped around a cold glass ofSonoma Cutrer chardonnay once again questioning, “is this really worth it?” Two days hence as I pause to reflect on my 38hours of labor, I would have to say yes.
Aside from the money raised to support our social outreach efforts, another equally compelling benefit is the camaraderie that develops among volunteers. Standing shoulder to shoulder with someone you might not have known well at the start of the week, devoted to the same task, creates a bonding experience. There is the shared exhaustion, shared laughter over particularly outrageous donations, shared food – those sugary Krispy Kreme donuts- how often at 66 do I allow myself to indulge in one of those cavity inducing confections?
In addition, as chronic multi-taskers, how often are we able to focus on one thing? Given the consuming nature of the sale, this became my single focus for the week.
I’m glad it’s over. But I kind of already miss my buddies. We created our own community. Fundamental to human nature is our need to belong. These kind of opportunities create a sense of belonging and community, the kind of community in which I want to live. I’ll be 68 on the occasion of the next sale. Here is hoping younger backs step up.
Walkers came in Handy for Volunteers
