Every year on the first weekend of September, just a block from Edina High School, is the Church of St. Patrick garage sale: a tradition that has persisted for 37 years.

Chuck Gundersen, one of the sales general managers, said preparations for the event begin as early as June when they start taking donations. However, the official donation dates begin two weeks before the sale. Volunteers then carefully pick through the items, ensuring top quality.

“You have to realize that St. Patrick’s garage sale is very particular,” Gundersen said. He stated that only about 40% of the items that St. Patrick’s receives are actually put up for sale.

While a vast majority of the sale items are sold due to the special deals and clearances offered by the sale organizers, some aren’t. These items are boxed up after the sale and given to the Salvation Army and Arc Value Village Thrift Store & Donation Center or placed on the curb for anyone to claim.

The four-day sale’s funds are placed into the church’s general fund to be used for items that the church doesn’t have the budget for, such as the new heating unit purchased last year. Other funds go into charitable foundations that the church supports globally and nationally.

Additionally, the garage sale team puts part of the proceeds into the general fund to be used for bonus items and activities, such as Music in the Park, a summer concert event organized by the church. In other words, money made during the garage sale always ends up funding events and items for the church.

For everyone involved in the garage sale, this tradition has not only aged well, it’s gained more attention with extra advertisement to the community.

“You gotta feel good about buying stuff here because it is quality, and we’re proud of it,” Gunderson said.