The Guys – l to r, front, Mike Frantz, Ken Buch. Jim Dyar, Chris Gleason, Dewey Beaver, Roland Steegmuller, Art Morissette, and Bud Campbell; and back row, Larry Lipsmeyer, Ed Keearns, Don Abbott, Chuck MacDonald, and Tom Thorton.

The Gals – l to r, front, Shirley Bartle, Bev Abbot, Diane Condon, Chris Frantz; and back row, Barb Wallisch, Dianna Gleason, Marilyn Burke, Bennie Buch, Libby Dyar, Pat Cuba, and Claudia Keearns.

Sacred Heart of Jesus guys and gals are busy pricing and storing parishioners’ donations to the upcoming September Treasure Sale.  The Treasure Sale is a biennial fund raiser in support of Catholic education in Saline and Garland counties.  Parishioners at Sacred Heart bring their donations to the church on collection dates and a small army of SHJ guys assist in unloading these “treasures”.  The items are then turned over to the gals who price everything, sort it all into categories, pack it up in labeled boxes, and turn everything back over to the guys who take it to temporary storage. 

There will be two collection dates in August, the 20^th and 23^rd, when once again these generous guys and gals will resume their labors toward a successful 2014 Treasure Sale.  And things really heat up for the collections crew during September with six collection dates so that parishioners can comb through their little used or no longer needed possessions to see what might be donated.  Parishioners with larger items to donate will have the choice of having these items picked up if they are unable to transport them to church. 

The results of all the labor of these hard working collection crew members is that donated gently used items can find new homes on September 26 when the sale begins at 7 a.m.  Of course during the week before the actual sale starts, additional small armies of parishioners lend their expertise, muscle, and gifts of time and talent to the set up of the church hall, managing the display of goods, make signs directing customers, and to the overall logistics of preparing for the sale. 

On the days of the sale, parishioner volunteers serve as sales helpers to assist customers, and as cashiers who take in the money and provide receipts to customers. Other volunteers assist by helping customers load their purchased larger items to bring home, or by doing the financial bookkeeping, or by directing traffic and parking. 

While earning funds to further Catholic education is the goal of the Treasure Sale, volunteers reap some lovely side benefits. Enjoying the camaraderie of fellow parishioners joining to work and laugh together is one such benefit.  Meeting new friends in the process of giving their hours and energies is another. And last but not least, putting on a great sale in September makes for happy shoppers who come to browse the treasures.

Parishioners should call Chris at 501-209-9944 with any questions and Mike at 501-209-2575 for large items pick up.