In addition to Rummage at the Rink’s purpose as an important Parents’ Association fundraiser, the event brings many members of the USM community together and also gives back to the greater Milwaukee community. (At the end of the sale, all remaining items are donated to a variety of local charities.)
As explained by the PA, “There is a role for everyone to play, and it's the group effort that makes it a success.” Examples include:
- Current school and alumni families, faculty and staff donate items to sell
- Volunteers (again both current and alumni parents) sort and arrange items and staff the sale
- Older students are involved to set-up of merchandise and help during the event
- Faculty and staff have a preview date day to shop before the sale opens to the public.
I’m told that in preparation for this weekend’s sale, more than 50 volunteers came last Saturday to help clear out the containers (where the donated items had been stored). All of the Upper School spring athletics teams, many of our Middle School students, and several other groups of volunteers did an amazing job. This teamwork resulted in the containers being unloaded in about 2.5 hours. As donations are running roughly 50 percent ahead of last year, this was an amazing effort.
I’m looking forward to attending my first USM rummage event this weekend. Perhaps an item will catch my eye, but mostly I’m anticipating the occasion to see this wonderful community in action. I was bowled over by Holiday Shops, which far exceeded my expectations, and no doubt Rummage at the Rink will offer another outstanding example of a dedicated community at work.
