THANKS SO MUCH TO ALL WHO VOLUNTEER AND SHOP!!
 

Each year the annual White Elephant Sale [WES] takes place on the Friday and Saturday following the 4^th of July. This event is nearing its 70^th successive year and is one of the main events on both the town and church calendars. We’ve all seen garage and rummage sales but few can match the size and color of this one. The sale items are organized into some 25 departments that fill the church buildings and every available space on the lawn. It is sponsored by the Ladies Benevolent Society [LBS] of the First Congregational Church and raises money for missions and good works both locally and through out the world. This runs the gamut from food pantries, health organizations, family support centers, children’s programs, world relief, housing and many many more.

It has grown so large, it has become a community event and one that many visitors plan their vacations around so as to attend or work the WES. In fact, many of our donations and a number of our workers are from non-church members. All 200 or so volunteers pitch in for two weeks collecting, sorting, pricing and organizing the items awaiting the big day. That being Friday morning when the crowds anxiously gather outside the ropes surrounding the church. When the clock in the bell tower strikes 9:00am, the ropes come down and the shoppers run for their favorite departments looking for those hidden treasures. If that isn’t enough there is lunch, soda and lemon ice to refresh the shoppers so they can repeat the same process again on Saturday morning but then the prices are all half off!

 It is one of the most amazing experiences: seeing and being part of the annual White Elephant Sale. So many people contributing their brawn and their brains...all sprinkled with enthusiasm and humor. Few events can compare in excitement and camaraderie amongst the workers and even the shoppers who line up in the same spot each year.

All of this in support of great causes and the less fortunate – what a deal!!

 If you are interested, check out the WES calendars, look around for a donation or two but most importantly stop by or call the church office to volunteer --you won’t regret it. See you in July at the sale !!!