Maine Township Hosts Sixth Community Garage Sale and Sells Out in Record Numbers

For the past six years, Maine Township has provided the communities of Des Plaines, Morton Grove, Niles, Rosemont, Glenview and Park Ridge with a central location to sell and donate goods once a year.

Dick Barton, Maine Township's Public Information Officer came up with the idea for this community event when he noticed the lay-out of the stalls at the Township. After discussing the idea with staff,  the event was originally a craft fair and garage sale; however, as they noticed that the garage sale was more popular and sold out the faster, it became the central focus. "It is nice to raise money but elected officials also look at this as community service for Des Plaines," says Barton.

Today, the garage sale brings in approximately 1,000 people over the course of the 1-day event, with attendance growing each year. Although all 77 spaces have sold out, residents can still contribute in a variety of ways. They can provide cash donations or merchandise, which will be sold by the Township staff. Donations of heavy or large furniture, clothes, explosives or weapons of any kind will not be accepted; however, there is still a need for children's toys and furniture, small hand tools, garden tools and small working electronics.

The Township staff and volunteers, which include approximately 50 people, will price and sell all resident donations and proceeds benefit the MaineStay Adventure Camp for disadvantaged youth and the Township's Emergency Food Pantry. MaineStay serves disadvantaged children, ages eight through 13, by introducing them to recreational and cultural experiences they would not otherwise have access to. The emergency food pantry benefits from this garage sale because it provides funds to keep it well stocked year-round.

"This is a really fun event which raises money for two worthy causes—disadvantaged children and hungry families," says Carol Teschky, Maine Township Supervisor. "We are very proud of the event's success due to the hard work of our staff and volunteers." Teschky adds, "The pantry serves an average of over 200 families per month throughout the year and even more during holiday periods but the demand never ends."

This year's attendees can find great bargains on a range of purchases, including everything from socks for the whole family to baby mattresses. The garage sale will take place, rain or shine, on Saturday, September 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Maine Township Town Hall located 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge. The event is sponsored by Journal & Topics Newspapers, Liberty Bank for Savings, Maine Township Highway Commissioner Robert Provenzano, State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, ARC Disposal, Chicagoland Senior News and Parkway Bank.