Despite occasional rain, the annual “Whale of a Sale,” an almost 40-year-long tradition at St. Norbert Church in Northbrook, still brought out shoppers.
Many were lined up before the doors officially opened on Friday at 5 p.m. at the church at 1809 Walters Ave. The three-day rummage sale, held May 19-21, raised more than $30,000 for St. Norbert ministries, said Betty Parkinson of Northbrook, the event chair.
“It’s really helping a lot of people,” Parkinson said. “Other people who are doing good things, we get to support them. It’s really a community event.”
Suggested donations for the sale included seasonal decorations, clothing, furniture, books and toys. Specialty items such as figurines and crystal were considered for the sale’s “estate room.” Items left over after the sale ended were evaluated by volunteers for new homes and re-purposing. Charities including those as far-flung as Africa and as close by as the city of Chicago get some of the donations, she said.
“We only throw away things that are really garbage,” Parkinson said. “Everything goes to a place.”
Officials said that about 175 women from the St. Norbert Parish women’s council volunteered to work on the sale, doing work including organizing items in departments similar to those in a large retail store.
“They’re awesome,” Parkinson said of those who helped on the sale. “People have given so much of their time and energy. They’re just really wonderful.”
Parkinson said men, like Jim Allen of Northbrook, also pitched in.
Allen said he has been volunteering at the sale for 20 years, and has developed a routine: He works the grills at the Whale of a Sale and also at Glenbrook North High School, where he has barbecued for years as a booster club volunteer during home games.
“People who can’t donate money to the church donate their time,” Allen said. “So it kind of forms a community. It’s wonderful.”
In the parking lot, Teagan Klebba, 17, a Glenbrook North High School junior and Northbrook resident, warmed her hands during a volunteer concessions shift.
The tent had an outdoor heater to help temper the chilly weather.
“I love volunteering, any opportunity to give back,” said Klebba, who said she attended St. Norbert School. “I love Whale of a Sale.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter.
