TOP STORY: ‘Best Ever’ White Elephant Sale Achieves Record-Breaking Results … Again

This Year’s Gross Sales Exceed 2024 Record By “At Least 10 Percent”

OLD LYME — The weather was great for this year’s White Elephant Sale (WES) at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme … unlike last year when the heavens opened and rain dampened everything … except the financial results.

So, here at LymeLine, we wondered how things went in this year’s sale, which, as always, drew huge crowds, and sparked that unique community spirit for which is is renowned.

We asked WES Chairman Bob Davis that question and he replied by email saying, in a nutshell, it was the, “Best sale ever — again!!!! That is two years in a row, rain or shine”

He added, “Early numbers show [financial results] at least 10% bigger than last year,” and this was despite many departments thinking they did not have sufficient goods to sell!

He remarked that they may have been literally “flooded” in 2024, “but set a record anyways.” This year he noted, “The weather was much better and the customers came out in a steady stream after the initial Friday rush.” 

Davis said that the Sale ran very smoothly and, “All had great time with full a compliment of volunteers.”

All the proceeds from the Sale are distributed by the church’s Benevolent Society to support a great variety of charities both locally, statewide, nationally and internationally, as well as the church itself.

Davis, who has been chairing the WES for more years than he can remember, said the organizing committee is already thinking about improvements for next year and welcomes hearing any thoughts from the community.

Finally, he noted in a brief presentation at yesterday’s FCCOL morning service that the WES sale dates for 2026 are July 10 and 11 … so Save Those Dates!

Editor’s Note: i) We offer hearty congratulations to all those involved in pulling off this amazing sale. Bob Davis obviously plays a leading role and his efforts must be especially appreciated, but he is joined by a multitude of loyal volunteers year after year— and new ones too. Many thanks to you all.