Save Sept. 25 For Chatham, Madison Town-Wide Yard Sale

CHATHAM, NJ — People who live in the Chathams and Madison can clear out their unwanted items while benefitting the environment in several ways during a town-wide yard sale event.

Scheduled rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, not only does the sale help to fundraise for the Great Swamp Watershed Association, but there are other “green” benefits to the day.

One plus is it’s more environmentally-friendly, according to organizers, because all sellers are having their events on the same day.

Additionally, residents who sign up and donate $10 to the Great Swamp Watershed - a tax-deductible contribution - from either of the Chathams or Madison, will be included on a special digital map for the event.

Registration is available by clicking here up to noon, on Wednesday, Sept. 22.

Rather than a paper map, the digital one - available here once it’s ready - ends up publicized on social media, including yard sale forums, throughout the tri-state area, increasing the sale’s reach.

In the past, shoppers from New York and Pennsylvania showed up for the sale.

“I was amazed by the reach of the Great Swamp and the yard sale forums,” said Chatham Borough Environmental Commission Member, Susie Robertson. “I met people from upstate, Staten Island and the shore.”

“The turnout was excellent,” Robertson added. “I don’t see a need for residents to pay for additional advertising for themselves.”

Jessica Romeo of the Chatham Township Environmental Commission said that even during the last sale, with some changing plans because of COVID, there were still over 110 participants and $1,100 raised for the Great Swamp.

“It was heartening to hear that even when people’s plans changed, they didn’t ask for their donations back,” Romeo said. “Residents appreciate this important wilderness area on our doorsteps and are keen to support the GSWA.”

Another environmentally-friendly advantage of the sale is that rather than discarding leftover items, each of the Environmental Commissions in the Chathams are offering curbside pickups from non-profit groups for remaining items, including the Vietnam Veterans of America, GreenDrop, Market Street Mission and Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Morris ReStore, according to the Environmental Commissions, takes furniture and antiques, as well as brand new supplies like doors and plumbing. They may additionally pick items up.

Those who would like a pickup will need to coordinate it themselves.

Residents who have items beyond that, they may list them on the following Facebook groups:
For the Chathams - Buy Nothing Chatham NJ
For Madison - Madison Swap and Share NJ

Participating sellers for the yard sale, are requested to wear masks, provide hand sanitizer and encourage social distancing at their individual sales.

Any questions about the sale may be directed to MEC@rosenet.org.

For updates about the event and the digital map after registration is complete, check back to the Great Swamp Watershed’s website here.

Editor's Note: A clarification was added on Sept. 20 that residents must coordinate their own pickup for items that are not sold.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.