Chatham-Madison Yard Sale Will Again Benefit The Great Swamp

CHATHAM, NJ — Three towns have teamed up again to map their treasures for sale in yards across Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, and Madison and raise money for the Great Swamp Watershed Association.

Set aside April 30 for the latest Chatham-Madison Townwide Yard Sale. Organizers said it will be held rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in yards across Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, and Madison. The popular community event again features a fundraiser for the Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA). Residents can list their sales on a digital map when they make a $10 tax-deductible donation to GSWA, though participants don't need to join the digital map to take part in the yard sales.

Previous yard sales have attracted hundreds of yard-sale shoppers from Pennsylvania, New York, and from all over New Jersey. Last year's event has sales from 110 households and raised $1,110, a news release from the organization said.

This event is free and open for all residents of the three towns. Organizers said you don't need a permit or other official registration. And while residents participating don't have to donate and get on the digital map, event organizers said it is a good way to attract buyers, especially if specific items are listed.

Participants don't pay to advertise and the event's marketing is extensive. On the day of the sale, signs in neighborhoods can help buyers find sales.

"We are excited to once again be hosting the town-wide yard sale," said Claire Whitcomb, chair of the Madison Environmental Commission. "It's so much easier to de-clutter when you know that your items are going to a good cause, or to a new home," Whitcomb added.

Also, neighbors in the Highland Avenue area of Chatham Borough will again combine to host a "FreeCycle" event with all items free to shoppers. Organizer Susie Robertson says, "The Yard Sale is a great way to get items out of the bulk-pickup and into the hands of someone else who could use them. I encourage everyone to discuss hosting a multi-family sale on your block and enjoy a fun and profitable morning with your neighbors," said Robertson.

Homeowners can arrange pickups of sale leftovers by contacting the following nonprofits: the Vietnam Veterans of America, GreenDrop, the Market Street Mission, and Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.

"Anything with a plug" can be placed in the collection bin at 8 Emery Ave., Randolph, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. 3 p.m. for "e-cycling" by GreenVision, Inc., the news release said.

Madison residents may also post items on Madison Swap and Share NJ, a Facebook group of 2,100 sharers and borrowers. Chatham Borough and Chatham Township residents may post items to the Buy Nothing Chatham, NJ Facebook group with 650 FreeCyclers, according to event organizers.

At any time of the year, these are great ways to keep items out of the landfill and to repurpose items you may not need, but that someone else may be happy to use, the organizers said.

For questions regarding the yard sale, please contact MEC@rosenet.org.

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