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The Winchester Unitarian Society (WUS) is hosting its much-loved “Not Your Average Rummage Sale” once again this year, offering more than just great finds at low prices — it’s also a real-world example of sustainability in action.
Held at 478 Main St., admission is $2 and hours are Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, June 8, from 12:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For those eager to snag the best items, the Early Bird Sale is Saturday, June 7, from 8-9 a.m. with a $15 admission fee.
While bargain hunters will enjoy a wide variety of jewelry, clothing, home goods, kids toys and games, electronics, art, vintage, and more, what sets this rummage sale apart is what happens after the crowds leave.
“This is not a ‘take what you want and toss the rest’ kind of event,” said Fritzie Nace, rummage sale co-chair. “We’re committed to keeping as much as possible out of the landfill. That’s what makes it truly ‘Not Your Average’ — we care about the afterlife of every item that comes through our doors.”
Volunteers at WUS spend weeks preparing, sorting, pricing, and — perhaps most importantly — planning what to do with items that don’t sell. Rather than leaving unsold goods to be trashed, the WUS “Remains Team” works with a network of charities and organizations that ensure items get a second (or even third) life.
“Every night, we carefully sort the remaining items into dozens of categories for donation or recycling,” said Sarah Milt, co-chair of the Remains Team. “Nothing is random. We have a plan for everything — whether Christmas décor donated to the Jenks Center, pet supplies handed off to a local animal advocate, or winter boots to kids in Ukraine. Even our scrap metal gets sold!”
Books are picked up by More Than Words, a nonprofit that helps youth in foster care, facing homelessness, or involved in the court system build job skills and confidence by running a bookstore. Home decor, kitchen goods and vintage items are taken by The Restoration Project, for its thrift store at 334 Pleasant St., Belmont. Winter coats and boots go to Winchester’s own Protect Global Children which redistributes donated goods to children globally with urgent humanitarian relief needs.
A large donation to Savers ensures that hundreds of items — including clothing, linens, household items, toys, and small electronics — go to a resale store that supports the Epilepsy Foundation and diverts millions of pounds of waste from landfills every year.
Even damaged textiles find a home: about 50 trash bags full are donated to Bay State Textiles, which turns torn clothing, stained linens, and worn-out shoes into recycled material.
“If it has fabric, and we can’t donate it, we recycle it,” said Milt.
Throughout the sale, volunteers make regular trips to the Winchester Transfer Station to drop off recyclables and Swap Shop treasures, and only a tiny portion of the overall haul ends up as trash.
“We approach this sale as a form of environmental stewardship,” Nace continued. “It’s more than just raising money, although that’s obviously our primary goal. It’s about doing right by the planet and making sure donated goods can still serve a purpose.”
Whether you come for the bargains, the mission, or the joy of community, one thing is certain: this is not your average rummage sale. It’s better.
For more info and to see donation guidelines, visit the WUS web site or email the Rummage team at wusrummage@gmail.com.
