27th annual rummage sale to benefit Chana School Museum is May 31 and June 1

OREGON – This year’s annual fundraiser to benefit the 1883 Chana School Museum will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 31, and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1.

“It looks to be the biggest sale yet, since the first sale back in 1997. The sale will be in the basement of the Oregon Coliseum, with large items in tents stationed outside the building,” said Connie Stauffer, Chana School Museum volunteer. “This fundraiser is fundamental to the operations of the museum. The Chana School was saved, moved and restored by volunteers by using fundraiser money, grants and donations. It receives no tax money.”

The Chana School Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. IRS tax forms are available for any donation.

“Volunteers control the yearly funding for maintenance, monthly operational expenses and special projects through fundraisers, grants and gifts. People like you have given what they could to help keep our local history alive for generations to come by preserving the 1883 Chana School Museum,” Stauffer said.

The Chana School Museum has been on the National Register of Historical Sites since December 2005.

“It offers much to our county,” Stauffer said. “The museum offers field trips for schoolchildren. The students come dressed like ‘Little House on the Prairie’ and enjoy learning the way life was back in the late 1800s. The school is open for tours by appointment and also during community events like Autumn on Parade and the Father’s Day Auto Show by the Oregon Lions Club.”

Workshops, weddings, showers and other special events are welcome at the Chana School Museum. For information, call Stauffer at 815-732-2447.

“Please plan on attending this year’s rummage sale,” she said. “There is something for everyone at this event. There will be sport items, furniture, clothes, decorations, antiques, toys and games, tools and so much more. We never know what will be donated for the sale until it comes in. You can help the Chana School Museum by purchasing items, or you can donate your unwanted items to the sale. Your discarded items may be a treasure for someone else.”

Drop-off days and times for bringing in donated items to the coliseum are from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, and from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 29.

“We cannot take large appliances, mattresses, springs, blinds, car seats or large entertainment centers. If you have questions about your items, please call Ray at 815-979-2903,” Stauffer said. “We cannot do huge fundraisers like this without precious volunteers. People look forward to attending the sale, but many like helping with the collection of items brought in before the sale.”

Anyone wishing to help either during the two collection days or on the days of the sale can call Stauffer at 815-732-2447.