MUNCIE, Ind. - It's not uncommon for a family, a neighborhood or even a church to have a rummage sale.
But a school?
Wilson Middle School will have its first community rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, right in the school's parking lot.
Wilson teacher Kim Conner came up with the idea.
"I was looking for something new and thought about all of the ones in the community and how well they have done," she said. "I think this could be a great money-maker for us to start off the school year, and it's also a way to get the community together at the school."
Those who want to participate in the sale can buy a 12 x 12-foot area for $10, with proceeds going to the student council, which currently has 20 members.
Student council member Chelsie Collins, 13, said she will be there to help run the sale.
"I think it's a great idea because the money goes right back to the school, and we can definitely use it," she told The Star Press.
The council, she said, will use the booth money for its various events during the year, including Red Ribbon Week, a fall food drive, a Christmas gift program through the Salvation Army and the school's own decorated tree (which will be donated to a family) at the Community Christmas Sing.
For those who rent a space at the rummage sale, Conner said, what they put in that space is up to them. She's already heard from some teachers who will participate. She said one wanted to sell some of his tools and lawn equipment.
School rummage sales are not new. An online search returned several school and PTO rummage sales all over the country.
Many schools have the items donated with all proceeds going to the school. In fact, one school in Ohio has operated a garage sale for 11 years, earning as much as $20,000 each year.
Could this start a new trend within the local district?
Perhaps, said MCS Chief Financial Officer Mark Burkhart.
"I am sure that if it is profitable, then other schools are going to try it," he said.
He said many schools groups, such as councils, athletic boosters and band boosters, "are all looking for ways to support their extracurricular student activities, so schools need to be more creative about what they are doing to raise funds."
Ann Mace, an assistant in the school's library, said she plans to "be a shopper" at the Wilson event.
She said she wasn't surprised to learn that Conner was behind the sale.
"She is always trying to do something new and exciting for the students, as well as get the parents involved," she said. "I think this is a great idea."
A truck from the Muncie Mission will be on hand after the sale to cart away any items sellers want to donate. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the sale will be moved inside to the gym.
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