Whether you are downsizing, planning to start up a new household, or looking for a new friend, the Rover Rescue Barn Sale is something you have to discover.
The Rover Rescue Barn Sale is at the big red barn, 5401 Route 71, in Oswego. There are barn sales monthly, with the last of the season on the weekends of August 23, 24, and 25 and September 13, 14, and 15, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m..
It is the largest fundraiser of the year for the no-kill Rover Rescue dog adoption agency. Rover Rescue facilitates the adoption of more than 500 dogs each year and every single dime collected at the barn sales goes to pay veterinary bills for dogs they save from kill shelters, according to foster home coordinator, Teri Grandt.
This event is the third year for the Rover Rescue Barn Sales in Oswego, held on the property of one of the foster homes. “It is wonderful to be able to use this property,” Grandt said. “We used to hold sales in Aurora at my family home, and then in Elgin, but we kept growing, and we are so thankful to be set up in Oswego. We are receiving the most donations we have ever had in our history,” according to Grandt.
The massive barn sale volunteers fill the main barn and a courtyard beyond. “There’re three garage bays full of furniture, and beyond that we have clothing and linens, a pet tent, sporting goods, and more. Those items that can handle the weather are displayed outside.”
The September sale is their last sale of the year. September 21 is “Free Day”, in which absolutely everything is free. “It helps us get rid of stuff and to say thank you to those who donate to us. That day only, people can come and just take whatever they want,” she said.
All purchases at the Barn Sale are donation-based. She hopes shoppers will pay whatever they feel is fair. “Most people are very generous to us,” Grandt said.
It takes a lot of volunteers to run the Barn Sale. Grandt said there are hundreds of volunteer hours each month. It is a great place for youth to volunteer and collect service hours for school. They have started collaborating with the AmeriCorps Seniors program through Senior Services Associates to enlist the help of older adult volunteers.
“We set up like a department store and need six volunteers at a minimum every day at the sale, but more is better. We set up on the Thursday before, and we need to get everything displayed. On an average Thursday, we usually have more than 250 boxes of new donations out front, while our tables are already filled with displayed merchandise,” she added. Grandt posts on social media sites to entice those having sales to donate whatever hasn’t sold, and they accept donations through August 25.
Those interested in adopting a pet should visit the website, https://roverrescue.org. There is a contact number there for more information. Callers should expect a short phone interview, and then a call to learn more about the dog from the foster home. “When it’s time to set up an appointment to adopt, everyone in the family must attend, including any other dogs in the household,” Grandt said. “If all goes well, then right then and there the family would sign a contract and pay the adoption fee, and go home with a new family member.”
Grandt said they have approximately 30 foster homes holding animals and are in huge need of foster homes, too. “There are dogs literally dying for lack of a foster home,” she said.
For those interested in volunteering for the Barn Sale, fostering pets, or adopting, call Grandt at 630-897-7454 or send an Email to her at info@roverrescue.org.
Barb Nadeau is a freelance writer, whose career has included more than 10 years as a public relations professional, 22 years as a professional television and radio host, print journalist, and Volunteer Coordination professional, networking among non-profit social service agencies and service providers throughout Illinois. She is a two-term elected alderman in the City government of Plano. Contact Barb at bvnadeau@gmail.com.