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Community News for Lyme and Old Lyme, CT

Final Day for White Elephant Sale Intake Today

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There’s not much you can’t find at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme’s annual White Elephant Sale, which takes place this year on July 14 and 15!

Intake for the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL)’s 81st Annual White Elephant Sale – the extraordinarily popular summertime event that raises funds for charity – continue today, Thursday, July 6, with two intake sessions, the first from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then an evening session from 6 to 8 p.m.

The final two days of intake are Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8, both running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The sale itself takes place the following Friday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, July 15, from 8 a.m. to noon.  

The sale is an important fundraiser that has grown in size every year, enabling its sponsor – FCCOL’s Ladies Benevolent Society (LBS) – to fund more than 25 nonprofit organizations across the region and around the world.  While there are other garage and rummage sales held by other organizations throughout the year, few can match the size, color, camaraderie and excitement of this one.

And they’re off! The annual White Elephant Sale starts each year on the first strike of 9 a.m. on the designated Friday.

Nearly 200 volunteers sign up to help collect, sort, price, organize and sell the various donated items displayed during the spectacular two-day sale.  Area residents who would like to volunteer, should call the church office at 860-434-8686, select option 5, and leave their name and number.

Donations will start being accepted June 29.  Area residents can donate antiques, art, books, bikes, canoes, clothing, collectibles, electronics, kayaks, kitchenware, shoes, ski equipment, tools, toys and more.  A complete list of the items the church does and doesn’t accept for the sale is available on the web at www.fccol.org/wesintake.  Donations will be accepted during following dates and times:

  • Thursday, June 29, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. AND 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Friday, June 30, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 1, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 5, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 6, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. AND 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Friday, July 7, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 8, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

(Some items – including indoor and outdoor furniture – require advance notice to be donated. ) 

For more information, visit www.fccol.org/wes.