Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, NC

On Saturday, April 29, the Chapel of the Cross will be holding its 44^th annual Attic, Basement and Closet Sale, so-called because parishioners are asked to take stock of what they have stashed in those seldom visited spaces in their homes and bring the best of it to the church. Now why, you might ask, have we been doing this for more than four decades? There are many laudable reasons.

Principal among them is that the ABC Sale has proven to be a remarkably successful fundraiser for our social outreach ministries. In 2005, the sale raised $27,029.84, and the net proceeds were distributed to various local, state, and regional groups. This is one significant way in which our church looks beyond the walls of our parish to make a difference in the broader community.

A second aim of the sale is to make serviceable goods available at a low cost, especially to those who need them. For every shopper, it's an opportunity to find that serendipitous bargain or unlikely treasure among the very large amount of quotidian household merchandise. There are real jewels to be found!

For most who become involved with the sale, however, there is another more personal benefit, and that is the opportunity to become better acquainted with other parishioners. The bonds of unity and fellowship among our community are palpably strengthened when we come together to labor and laugh during the ABC Sale week.

For many of you, the rhythm of the sale is hard wired. Others may be wondering how, exactly, we transform the parish house into a venue for a giant rummage sale in a week's time. Here is a general outline of the sale week:

On Sunday, April 23, EYC and ECM students, and other strong-backed volunteers, move furniture, tables, and all manner of things to begin the transformation.
Donations of rummage begin arriving on Monday morning and continue through mid-day on Thursday. Specifically, donations are accepted:

Monday, April 24, 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 25, 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 26, 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 27, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. No donations will be accepted after that time, except items for the Bake Shop and Garden Department, which should be delivered on Friday, April 28.

A few notes on the matter of donations:

♦ We accept almost any type of merchandise, from furniture to clothing, household items, antiques, books, toys. Please, however, donate only items that are truly saleable; no torn, dirty, or broken items, and no computers or printers.

♦ While we do arrange for various community service agencies to take unsold merchandise for the use of those in need, what we do not sell or give away we must dispose of and pay, by the pound, for the privilege! This is another reason to bring us only quality items that will sell at good prices.

Friday, April 28, is a day of frantic preparation to bring the departments into shape for the sale. It is also a day of celebration, as volunteers enjoy Doris Cotton's fabulous lunch of beans and cornbread. Volunteers also have the opportunity to acquire one sale item that has captured their fancy, by submitting a sealed bid for it to the sale chairmen.
On sale day, Saturday April 29, volunteers will begin arriving at the crack of dawn to complete final preparations for the sale. Doors open to the public at 9:00 a.m., and the sale continues until 2:00 p.m. At 2:00 the arduous process of clean-up begins, and we undertake the transformation back from department store into our familiar parish house.

Everything about the ABC Sale is amazing - the amount of money we raise, the community service we provide, and the fellowship we create. But in order to meet these goals successfully, we need your help! We need you to bring in donated merchandise, help publicize the sale, cook for the Bake Shop and, above all, volunteer your time. If you are unable to participate this year because of scheduling conflicts or other reasons, you can also help by making a contribution to the sale to defray our expenses, which are significant because of the many items we must rent and the large quantity of supplies we must buy.

Co-Chairmen Ann Craver and Mary Kent Hill hope to hear from you!

Send items for inclusion in future "Cross Roads."
The deadline is the first Thursday of the preceeding month.