Let’s Hear It for UWF’s Annual Rummage Sale Wooo-Hoo
Let’s Hear It for UWF’s Annual Rummage Sale!!! Wooo-Hoo! by Barbara Hiura
“Someone’s junk is another person's treasure,” was a comment I heard often. No truer words are spoken when it comes to the UWF’s annual rummage sale held this past, June 6, at Wesley. The entry line stretched for over a block down the front of our street with bargain hunters, treasure seekers, and many in need of essentials like clothing and shoes, were waiting in anticipation.
We were ready! And it is a sight to behold as all came through into our 5th street parking lot were met with tables heavily ladened with clothes, dishes, appliances, holiday stuff, toys and games, baskets, crafts, electronics, and the much sought after fully working multi-speed bikes. Those bikes were gone in like a minute to a good home I presume. Everyone found something to their liking.
Along with the rummage sale coordinated and run by Terri Koike and Bev Acuna with a ton of help, the money-maker every year is the Treasure’s rooms run efficiently by Jeanne Katsuro and her crew. They expanded to three rooms this year and were filled with jewelry, from costume to precious, fine Japanese dishes, dolls, and kimonos, brand-name handbags, collector items like pins, match-box cars and trucks as well as designer labeled blue jeans. Truly all treasures and sold at a bargain.
I reiterate…there is something for everyone and for every pocketbook. From clothing items at just .50 a pop and most rummage sale items at 1 buck to three, it’s pretty reasonable. But even the treasures are inexpensive, most goods $10 to $20 and perhaps a little more.
For days prior, church and community people came to drop off their unwanted items, cluttering their homes. A crew of some 20 to 30 people from Wesley, students, friends, and community folk spent days sorting, pricing and boxing all the items received and making them ready for the sale. After four days, the church was ready for the big day. Our outreach effort is felt every year. “I look forward to your rummage sale,” one patron commented, and “It is all so well organized and well-run. Thank you.” How about that!!!
This labor-intensive effort especially for our UWF leaders has a dual purpose. It is intentional outreach to those in need which is why everything is sold so inexpensively, and making enough money to support the missions work of the United Women in Faith which is a dedicated focus on the health and well-being of women and families around the world. That is the reason for this massive church-wide effort. “Our intent is not to make money,” Koike notes,” it’s providing a much-needed service to the community.”
The rummage sale, without all the exact figures in, netted approximately $15,000, according the Koike. I say, hear! Hear! And kudos and high-fives to all especially the year-long work of the leaders, Terri, Bev and Jeanne. We also need to acknowledge the Wesley Village as many hands are needed for this sale to even happen; to Scout troop 201, our Japantown community, and our friends. We needed you and you all came through with flying colors. Thank you.
We were ready! And it is a sight to behold as all came through into our 5th street parking lot were met with tables heavily ladened with clothes, dishes, appliances, holiday stuff, toys and games, baskets, crafts, electronics, and the much sought after fully working multi-speed bikes. Those bikes were gone in like a minute to a good home I presume. Everyone found something to their liking.
Along with the rummage sale coordinated and run by Terri Koike and Bev Acuna with a ton of help, the money-maker every year is the Treasure’s rooms run efficiently by Jeanne Katsuro and her crew. They expanded to three rooms this year and were filled with jewelry, from costume to precious, fine Japanese dishes, dolls, and kimonos, brand-name handbags, collector items like pins, match-box cars and trucks as well as designer labeled blue jeans. Truly all treasures and sold at a bargain.
I reiterate…there is something for everyone and for every pocketbook. From clothing items at just .50 a pop and most rummage sale items at 1 buck to three, it’s pretty reasonable. But even the treasures are inexpensive, most goods $10 to $20 and perhaps a little more.
For days prior, church and community people came to drop off their unwanted items, cluttering their homes. A crew of some 20 to 30 people from Wesley, students, friends, and community folk spent days sorting, pricing and boxing all the items received and making them ready for the sale. After four days, the church was ready for the big day. Our outreach effort is felt every year. “I look forward to your rummage sale,” one patron commented, and “It is all so well organized and well-run. Thank you.” How about that!!!
This labor-intensive effort especially for our UWF leaders has a dual purpose. It is intentional outreach to those in need which is why everything is sold so inexpensively, and making enough money to support the missions work of the United Women in Faith which is a dedicated focus on the health and well-being of women and families around the world. That is the reason for this massive church-wide effort. “Our intent is not to make money,” Koike notes,” it’s providing a much-needed service to the community.”
The rummage sale, without all the exact figures in, netted approximately $15,000, according the Koike. I say, hear! Hear! And kudos and high-fives to all especially the year-long work of the leaders, Terri, Bev and Jeanne. We also need to acknowledge the Wesley Village as many hands are needed for this sale to even happen; to Scout troop 201, our Japantown community, and our friends. We needed you and you all came through with flying colors. Thank you.
What an amazing showing of all those working and leading the Rummage Sale effort!
A very cute highlight this year was our stuffed toy display presented by Cynthia Fukuda.
Rob Hikido was one of our many security folk ensuring the sale goes smoothly.
Nice to see Dale and Mary Sasaki as itemizers. Tomoko Tanaka in the middle prepared for the onslaught of buyers..
Cashiers were Shelley Nakashima and Lori Tabuchi.
One of the Treasure’s rooms nice displays for pottery, dolls, and prints.
Shop till you drop!!! Our 5th St. Parking lot filled with patrons.
Jeanne Katsuro, coordinator of the Treasure’s room, gave instructions to her crew.
Terri Koike, Rummage Sale Coordinator, was everywhere taking care of all aspects leading up to, during and after the sale.
Shizuko Adachi, Karen Maeda and Cynthia Fukuda sort and price.
Bev Lovaas and Flo Oishi sort the massive amount of clothing items that came in.
Rev. John Oda was searching for that one great find.
Posted in Newsletter 2026-06-25