ABC SALE: A Success by any Measure!!

Ann Craver, Co-Chair

Thanks to a cadre of dedicated volunteers and hordes of bargain-hunting shoppers, the 44^th Annual ABC Sale, held on April 29, brought in record receipts of nearly $29,000! The Social Ministry Committee will soon be hard at work distributing the net proceeds to local and regional agencies through a rigorous grants-making process. The entire parish should feel a tremendous sense of pride in this accomplishment.

While it is, of course, a primary objective of the sale to raise funds for social outreach, and this laudable aim is a focus for our hard work and organization, the financial results are only one measure of our success. Providing the community, especially those in need, with quality merchandise at bargain prices is another goal, and that was surely accomplished. A third objective is more internal. The week of set-up, sorting, pricing, and other frenzied preparations for the sale provides a golden opportunity for building fellowship and friendships among our parish community. In fact, throughout the week, Co-Chair Mary Kent Hill and I heard repeatedly that this is why our parishioners are such stalwart and committed ABC volunteers. It is nothing short of amazing that we manage to turn the parish house into a gigantic department store and back again in a week's time. Thank You to everyone who participated in any way. Your rummage, your baked goods, your volunteer time, and your shopping prowess were all important ingredients to our success!

This year's sale brought a little bit of everything, from the familiar to the new, the unexpected to the challenging. On the familiar front, volunteers were confronted with literally mountains of rummage to sort through and price. The church parking lot was packed at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, the first day of drop-off, and sorters worked tirelessly all week to keep up with the delivery of merchandise. Special kudos go to Mudge Marsh and Susan Shaffer, who coordinated this incredible effort. They hardly left the building all week!

Also keeping with tradition was the opportunity for volunteers to savor the culinary talents of former parish housekeeper Doris Cotton during the bean and cornbread luncheon on Friday. What a welcome respite in the middle of such chaos! Friday also brought another long-anticipated routine, when sale workers had the chance to bid on one special item that had captured their fancy during the week. Volunteers awaited the posting of the bids with anticipation and solemnity worthy of a Christie's auction!

While many aspects of the event (thank goodness) work like a well-oiled machine, we did undertake some innovations during this 44^th sale. The most obvious was the erection of our very own "Big Top" tent in the parking lot to house the combined White Elephant and Holiday departments. Volunteers of the week were Katherine Dauchert and Betsy Elkins-Williams, as they faced the logistical challenges imposed by this change. They endured it all with great humor, flexibility, and determination! Our shoppers loved the outdoor experience, and the opportunity to shop with a bit more elbow room.

The idea, suggested by department chairs Sandy Gerow and Peg Pratt, to create a totally new kitchen department, was an inspired one! Their "Cook's Corner" was a financial success, and a real hit with shoppers. The reassembled infant department, chaired by Lisa Bevevino, was another positive hit to the bottom line. Who knows what changes incoming chairmen Ellen Cole and Allison Worthy may be contemplating!

Finally, a few words about the unexpected. Who knew that the most popular item would be a vintage jukebox, or that one particular treasure item would be appraised at $1,600? Scoutmaster John Risk showed remarkable resourcefulness in the face of the Morehead parking lot's malfunctioning gate (mum's the word on the real scoop here!), and Nancy Tunnessen's pick-up volunteers must have Herculean strength. Can you imagine how heavy a cast iron stove must be?!

Mary Kent and I wish there was room to mention by name every person who contributed to the success of the sale. Each day the volunteer sign-in sheet held a remarkable number of names. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for producing an ABC Sale that was a success by any measure!!

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© 2006 The Chapel of the Cross