While many are spending summer days at the local swimming pool or their own backyards, Marlen Waters, Cheryl Bramble and a host of other Bridgeport United Methodist Church women are putting in plenty of daylight hours sifting through thousands of donated items. 

 

What's the occasion?

 

The annual BUMC Whale of a Rummage Sale, which brings in thousands of dollars each year for a long list of local causes. 

 

By the time the sale is open, the BUMC basement/gymnasium will resemble a department store; clothing, shoes, accessories, housewares, books, toys, holiday decor and many other items organized for browsing. And, as always, the prices are right for treating yourself to a new home accent, special occasion ensemble or additions to your home library. 

 

This year's sale runs Aug. 1-6 with special promotions running throughout the week-long sale. From Aug. 1-3, the sale will be open 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. 

 

On Aug. 5, the same operating hours apply, but all items will be reduced 50 percent. 

 

Even more savings will be available Aug. 6 when the sale will feature its annual "Bag Day." Between 9-11 a.m., folks can fill a brown paper grocery bag for $2 or a 30-gallon black plastic trash bag for $7.

 

“This fundraiser is over 50 years old and for many years, we held two per year,” said Sally Gainer Altman, who has helped organize the sale for many years. “Proceeds are donated to local charities including Shepherd’s Corner, The Clarksburg Mission and Bridgeport Challenger League, to name a few.”

 

BUMC is located on lower Worthington Drive. Parking in the back lot of the church, accessible via Philadelphia Avenue, is closest to the doors which will be open during sale hours.

 

Church members and others donate items during months preceding the sale, always held in early-August. There is never a shortage of donations and as fast as they roll in prior to the sale, they are purchased during it, organizers said.

 

Co-organizer Marlen Waters said she and several church volunteers have been working to organize items since May. It’s a labor of love, but one which not only benefits area charities, but also members of the community.

 

“I think people look forward to it every year,” she said. “We always try to have it the first week of August and that always works out well.”

 

Charities which benefit from the sale include the Harrison County Backpack Food Program, Bi-County Nutrition (Meals on Wheels), Burlington Family Services, CASA, Celebrate Recovery, Challenger League, Clarksburg Mission, Duff Street United Methodist Church Food Pantry, Flood Buckets, Genesis Youth Center Good Will Industries, Health Access, Heart & Hand House, Hope, Inc., House of the Carpenter, Salvation Army, Scott’s Run Settlement House, Shepherd’s Corner, Tyrand Parish of Elkins and Upshur Parish.

 

“We also provide scholarships for our preschool and Joyful Noise programs for children who can’t afford it, as well as scholarships to graduating high school seniors,” Waters said.

 

Editor's Note: Photos feature last year's BUMC Whale of a Rummage Sale, courtesy of BUMC.