February 26, 2009

Junior League to hold 21st biennial rummage sale

The Junior League of San Jose will host its 21st biennial rummage sale Saturday, March 14, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. Rummage sale proceeds will be invested in projects that support the league’s community program: helping young children enter elementary school ready to learn and thrive.

Families will have an opportunity to purchase high-quality rummage including furniture, children’s clothing, computers, house wares and electronics at a fraction of the original price. Guests can also take advantage of a complimentary Community Health and Service Fair at the sale from 8 a.m. to noon. This fair will provide families with important health information and services, including diabetes screening and cholesterol checks. Hunter Laboratories, who will be providing some of the testing, recommends fasting for 12 to 14 hours prior to your screening.

Since its inception in 1967, the Junior League of San Jose has raised more than $4.5 million. Funds raised from this year’s rummage sale will support the Junior League of San Jose’s community program, which currently includes projects with the Children’s Discovery Museum’s Wonder Cabinet, Bring Me a Book and the League’s own Kids in the Kitchen program, as well as other local non-profit organizations.

The Junior League of San Jose is committed to helping young children enter elementary school ready to learn and thrive by focusing its volunteer and financial resources on collaborative projects. These include projects that encourage children to explore, play and make their own discoveries and provide support services to caregivers and their families in Santa Clara County.

Marilee Jennings, executive director of the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose (CDM) says, “CDM’s partnership with JLSJ has allowed us to expand the scope and impact of our early childhood offerings, both at the museum and in the community. League volunteers bring a wealth of experience, professionalism and passion to the floor of the Wonder Cabinet, modeling best practices in visitor services and facilitating educational programs we would otherwise be unable to provide. In the community, they provide stellar leadership during special events and workshops, and greatly extend the number of low-income young children, families and educators who are able to access museum programming. We are deeply grateful for their support.”

Dianne Calvi, president of Bring Me A Book says, “Junior League of San Jose trained volunteers facilitate workshops that inspire and educate parents and caregivers about the critical importance of reading aloud to children. By inspiring parents to read to their children and become their child’s ‘first teacher’, the Junior League volunteers provide families in the community with critical skills and tools to be successful in school and life, and support them in developing a love for lifelong learning.” JLSJ has trained over 400 “first teachers” since the project’s inception.

Admission is free.