With a motto to “Buy, Sell and Donate,” the annual Deals on Wheels event on Saturday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glenview took place despite 50-degree temperatures and spotty rain.
Lily Cogan, 9, a fourth grader from Mount Prospect who was considering trading in her Trek bicycle, was there with her grandparents, Kevin and Maureen Cogan of Glenview.
Anything with wheels acceptable on the event list could be brought to the parking lot near the church’s Carrollton wing.
Items such as bikes, wagons, skateboards, strollers, lawnmowers, scooters and skates in good working order could be sold, with sellers setting prices.
Lily and her grandfather considered several bikes, including one priced at $50.
“I like it,” Lily said. But after a test ride, it was a no-go.
Her grandfather brought Lily to see if a trade up was the right move.
“I’ve bought bikes here for years,” Kevin Cogan said. “This is a great idea.”
Maureen Cogan said the event “saves people lots of money, and they can get rid of their old bikes that just clog up their garages.”
If people didn’t pick up unsold items, the church donated the wheels.
Deals on Wheels was sponsored by OLPH Women’s Guild 26; a percentage of the sales proceeds went to the group.
Julie Lomer of Glenview, event co-chair, said turnout was strong and organizers had to open doors early.
“We try to keep it a traditional community event, besides being a fundraiser for our church,” Lomer said. “When you talk to people from Glenview, so many people have been able to buy their kids’ bikes here.”
Lomer said last year’s sale, which had more pleasant weather, raised about $3,500.
“All donations go to the Women’s Club of OLPH and Sister Paulanne’s Needy Family Fund,” said Corinne Heggie of Glenview, a volunteer and guild member.
“There are people who are in need within this community,” Heggie said. “Neediness knows no time, no ZIP code, no day of the week.”
John Fehr of Glenview was the handyman with tools who made minor adjustments to bikes.
“I feel useful today,” he said. “It’s for a good cause.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
