MERRILLVILLE/CROWN POINT - Shoppers looking for a good bargain have two locations to check out this week thanks to a rummage sale at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville and a garage sale at St. Matthias in Crown Point. The events taking place July 24-26 are made possible from the generosity of parishioners who donate items and volunteers who give of their time to create an event that supports the church in a big way.
Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville has been organizing its rummage sale for approximately 15 years.
“We're always packed,” said Marcie Zajac. “I mean, they're waiting outside the door Thursday morning at 9 a.m., waiting to get in.”
Thursday, the first day of the rummage sale, is a very busy day and so is Saturday when there is a special bag sale. But what attracts shoppers, Zajac said, simply depends on what they might be hoping to find.
“We get a lot of people who are collectors that want to look at the vintage items right away, before somebody else gets it,” she said. “I'd say, everything pretty much goes.”
Zajac shared that the sale has a little bit of everything from bicycles to baby items. She stated there’s a lot of nice items including some brand new “in the box” items donated by parishioners.
This is Zajac’s second year heading up the rummage sale. She took over for Joyce and Joe Bucholtz who led the rummage sale into their 80s.
“I’m exhausted at the end of the day and I’ve asked (Joyce), ‘How did you do it?’ Zajac joked.
Zajac credits the group of parish volunteers for making the event a success. She estimated twenty people at one point were helping unpack and sort items on the tables the week prior to the sale, and then assisted with pricing those things the week of the rummage sale.
Whether the volunteers can only offer a couple hours of their time, or are able to stay the full time, Zajac is truly grateful for their help.
“They know what they're doing,” she explained. “They know how to mark things. I have some really good people with experience.”
Zajac also commends her volunteers for knowing what collectibles should cost and what items should be priced half off, so shoppers feel they are receiving a good value for their money.
“I couldn't do it without them,” she said. “They're really easy going – wonderful women and men to work with.”
The rummage sale is one of the biggest fundraisers for the parish, in addition to a raffle which coincides with the parish picnic. The annual parish picnic is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28 from 1-4 p.m. at Our Lady of Consolation.
“It's just very friendly,” she said of OLC. “They combined the parishes here in Merrillville so now we're meeting all these people from all these other parishes. So that's kind of neat.”
Jackie Wallace has been helping the garage sale at St. Matthias in Crown Point for 22 seasons. The parish used to host the sale twice a year but, following the coronavirus pandemic, now focuses on holding the event annually.
Wallace shared that every year those at St. Matthias review the layout for the garage sale in order to assess if any adjustments need to be made that would make the event run smoother. Sometimes new volunteers come forward and bring fresh ideas.
“We have 17 different departments, and each department just kind of knows how it all runs,” Wallace said. “So, when you have someone that's new that comes in, we try to help, not train them, but guide them on how everything is sorted.”
Each classroom within St. Matthias has a sign on the outside indicating, for example, if it's men or women clothing and the sizes. Toys are grouped separately and so are the electronics, which are checked to ensure they are in working order.
“The parishioners are extremely, extremely generous,” Wallace said. “They tell us they saved stuff from last July.”
Wallace said the first day of the garage sale people flood in. The parish tries to keep the prices reasonable, which she feels attracts shoppers.
“It's just amazing,” she said, “just all the people and what we can do for the community because the prices are really low.”
Wallace, like Zajac, said the volunteers definitely are what makes the sale successful.
“They are amazing,” she said. “They come in, and you know, we try to have fun, but we know there's a job to do. It's all for the parish and for the community.”
Each day of the sale, Wallace estimates there are about 70 or more parishioners lending a hand at the sale. There are sign in sheets to keep track of all the volunteers. The parish shows its appreciation by providing food for the volunteers during the course of the garage sale.
“We've had probably about 60 new volunteers,” she said. “That number has been going up. It's just amazing, and I get excited when I talk about it.”
Wallace said the dedication of the people, the volunteers, are what keeps her involved year after year.
“It’s the camaraderie and the good things that we can do for the community,” she added. “Plus it helps make money for the church.”
For more information on activities at Our Lady of Consolation, visit olcweb.org. For more details on events at St. Matthias, visit stmatthiasparish.net.
