Tiger Treasures Rummage Sale draws crowds, donations
June 4, 2008
Shopper Daniel Dodson and his 18-month-old daughter Skylla browse items for sale on Saturday at the Tiger Treasures Rummage Sale at Faurot Field. The sale benefited the United Way.
People packed into Memorial Stadium Saturday morning, not to see a football game, but to score bargains at the second Tiger Treasures Rummage Sale.
The sale, organized by MU Campus Facilities, Residential Life and Intercollegiate Athletics drew at least 2,500 shoppers, Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator Steve Burdic said. He said 778 early bird shoppers paid a $5 fee to enter at 6 a.m. and the sale ended at noon. But the vast majority of shoppers showed up in the first few hours.
“We were pretty well sold out by 10 a.m.,” Burdic said. “But we did stick around ‘til noon and had a few more things go out the door.”
The sale was an opportunity not only for shoppers to find good deals but offered students an environmentally-friendly alternative to throwing their unwanted items away.
“Young people who have the rest of their lives to live,” he said. “And we hope they’re taking away the idea of reusing their own stuff and maybe other people’s too.”
Proceeds from the event will go to five United Way agencies: The Salvation Army, Voluntary Action Committee, Phoenix Program, Meals on Wheels and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. The agencies supplied the majority of the volunteer labor to collect, sort, price and sell the goods.
Last year’s sale garnered about $10,000, and Burdic estimated this year’s sale will make that much or more.
Donations came from MU students who left items behind after they moved out of residence halls, university apartments and Greek houses.
“We really have to depend on the generosity of students to make this happen,” he said. “A lot of people, I’m sure, are saying, ‘Well I guess I could haul this home, but I’m going to do the right thing.’”
Burdic said if MU holds Tiger Treasures again next year, he would like to involve apartment buildings and the Greek community more in the planning stages of the event. He said the event committee has not discussed whether they will bring back Tiger Treasures for a third year, but that he thinks everyone is happy with the event.
A line stretched almost halfway around the stadium as volunteer Aaro Froese counted down the last seconds to opening time with the early-bird crowd.
“Let’s get ready to rummage!” he shouted into the microphone.
Columbia resident Tony Jackson was one shopper who showed up early Saturday to catch bargains. Jackson shopped for appliances and furniture for his daughter Katrice, who will attend MU in the fall. He found a beanbag chair, a refrigerator, a microwave, a TV and more.
“All the necessities of a college student,” he said.
Jackson said he will come back to the sale next year.
“In the tough times that we have with gas, taxes and real estate, it was a good thing the university did for people like myself and many more,” he said. “I can’t say enough good things about it.”
The selection was diverse at Saturday’s sale and revealed what kinds of things students leave behind in residence halls and Greek houses.
Clothing, shoes, small furniture and appliances, leftover cleaning supplies, bedding, school supplies and more sat on tables and hung on racks as shoppers milled about, and soon the line to check out rivaled the line to get in.
Burdic said about 90 percent of the items for sale Saturday were sold. Remaining clothes and salvageable furniture went to The Salvation Army, but Burdic said some items had to be thrown away.
“It’s one thing to think you can sell it, and if 2,500 people walk by it with a $10 sticker and it doesn’t sell, it’s a lost cause,” he said.
Columbia resident Erin Baker used Tiger Treasures as an opportunity to score summer play clothes and toys for her sons without having to spend a lot of money. 8-year-old Max played with Beanie Babies stuffed animals while 5-year-old Sam showed off his king’s crown and scepter.
“We had a good time,” Baker said.
Baker said she doesn’t usually go to garage sales or rummage sales, but a friend recommended the event. She said she might be back for Tiger Treasures next year.
“We’ll see if we need stuff,” she said. “I try to only go to garage sales if we need something.”
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