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St. John’s women to host super sale in June
Hinsdale 11/20/07 Western Springs Columnist: Vicki Gonia Doings photo by Steve Johnston
Updated: July 2, 2012 8:28AM
Spring is the time of year when we think about cleaning, getting rid of the old and making way for the new.
I got rid of a lot of stuff on junk day earlier this month, though in the weeks since, I keep finding things I wish I’d put out at the curb.
Instead, I’m saving those things to donate to the 39th annual St. John of the Cross Women’s Club’s Garage Sale. I’ll be cleaning out my closets (especially because of the purses). I bought a new purse recently and my son said, “Wow. That looks nothing like the other small, brown purses you have in your closet.”
The garage sale is being held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 16 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 18 (items remaining on June 18 are half price).
Residents may drop off items to donate to be sold at the garage sale at the St. John of the Cross School on Saturday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Monday to Wednesday, June 11 to 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Thursday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
An all-volunteer crew will be able to pick up large items from your home on June 11 to 13. To schedule a pickup, call Marian Orth at (708) 246-2160 or Connie Madden at (708) 246-4363. Pickups must be scheduled by June 8. Have a large vehicle and strong shoulders? Volunteer to help with large-item pickup by calling Madden at the above number.
Items that are great to donate are clothing, housewares, toys and furniture, but please be mindful that items must be in usable condition free of stains, tears or other damage. There is a list of items that cannot be accepted at the St. John of the Cross website (navigate to the Women’s Club page and click on the “Parish Garage Sale” icon).
The garage sale is a great opportunity to get rid of some of your excess stuff, and it all helps the Women’s Club do the great work of helping people within the parish as well as outreach programs. All you have to do is drop your stuff off. The Women’s Club does the rest of the work, though I should point out that it is incredibly helpful to the volunteers if you separate your items and label the bags (adult clothing, boys clothes, housewares, etc.).
Volunteers who work six or more hours get to shop the pre-sale on Friday, June 15, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (and there’s free baby-sitting available). Call Rita Forster at (708) 246-4519. My bet is that you can pick up the best stuff at the pre-sale. To volunteer some of your time, you can just show up or call Mary Beth White at (708) 246-6339 if you have questions about volunteering. Students (seventh grade and up) who need service hours (or who just want to offer their time and help) can volunteer or baby-sit. To sign up, call Maureen Chopp at 246-7280.
Whether you volunteer, donate or shop, you’re helping others in our community.
The St. John of the Cross Women’s Club is a great group. Through fundraising and other endeavors, the Women’s Club helps to support the parish by, according to its page on the St. John’s website, furthering the “spiritual, educational, social, financial and family interests of the parish and to cooperate with agencies for community welfare.” They also hold activities throughout the year specifically for the women of the parish, and seek to “strengthen the bonds among all Catholic women.”
All women of the parish are welcome to join the Women’s Club and to get involved in their efforts and activities. Annual dues are $10, which helps to pay for costs of speakers, hospitality and supplies for Women’s Club events throughout the year.
The Women’s Club board holds meetings the third Thursday of each month, and meetings are open to all parishioners. Those looking to find ways to volunteer to help plan activities, events and fundraisers can find out about these opportunities at the board meetings. Board meetings take place in the Parish Center from September until May at 9:15 a.m.
I’m very lucky to know several of the women who serve on the St. John of the Cross Women’s Club board, and they are awesome and fun people.
To find out more about the St. John of the Cross Women’s Club or the garage sale in particular, visit the club’s page on the St. John’s website (stjohnofthecross.org) by clicking on “Parish Life.”
Readers can contact Viki Gonia by leaving a message at (708) 824-8027 or by sending an email to doingsnews@pioneerlocal.com.
