What’s for sale at the Junior Service League’s Attic Sale Saturday?

There’s furniture, luggage, bicycles, books, a room full of children’s toys, electronics, large and small appliances, baby items, luggage, glassware, CDs, lamps — and, yes, there’s even a kitchen sink.

Why should people attend the sale?

“It’s so much fun,” said Paige Woody, who is head of this year’s sale. “And all the money raised goes back to the community.”

The Junior Service League of LaGrange is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

From its beginning in 1973, the league has been actively involved in numerous community service projects. The annual attic sale, held for more than 30 years, is the group’s major event to fund those projects.

Customers like to find treasures, Attic Sale co-chairman Denise Robinson said.

“At the checkout, it’s fun to hear people say, ‘Look what I found,’ ” she said. “And the kids are so happy with what they got.”

Robinson also said people can meet their basic needs at the sale, where they can buy dishes, appliances or baby items at reasonable prices.

While many items are donated by JSL members and former members, local residents also contribute.

“After people have yard sales and estate sales, they call us and we pick up what they have left,” Woody said. “Those donations are tax-deductible, and residents know they’ve made a difference because the money raised at the attic sale goes back to the community.”

JSL doesn’t accept adult clothing or firearms, weapons and the like, but pretty much anything else is fair game. Donations are accepted year-round, and the work of separating and sorting items for the October sale begins in June.

All the work is done by Junior Service League members. Each member is assigned to a committee for the sale, and everyone has a job, such as picking up donations, sorting items and pricing merchandise. And every member works on the day of the sale. Some former members also pitch in.

Expenses are limited mainly to advertising, security and equipment, such as tables.

Merchandise is grouped into categories such as baskets, kitchenware, candles, bed sheets, vases, lawn and garden items, holiday items and lighting. Included in the boutique section are china, crystal and collectibles. Some of that merchandise is new, donated by local businesses.

New this year is a collection of collegiate souvenirs from schools including Georgia, Auburn, Georgia Tech and Alabama.

Also new is a later closing time of 1 p.m., 30 minutes later than previously.

Late Saturday morning, the building will be cleared, then customers can be admitted with items available for half price.

And as the sale nears its end, a bag sale begins. For $2, shoppers can buy as much as they can stuff into large bags.

Limited parking is available on each side of the building at the former Westbrook Tire and Service at 308 Main St. The easiest parking is across Main Street at the former fire station, the public parking lot beside Carmike Cinemas and the parking deck between Main and Morgan streets.

JSL members have been working long hours this week to be ready for customers. When a fellow member asked Woody if she was ready for the sale to be finished, Woody replied, “No. It’s hard work, but I love it.”

• For information on donating items for next year’s sale, contact info@jsl.com.

If You Go:

The Junior Service League of LaGrange is gearing up for its annual Attic Sale.

The event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, will benefit various community service projects. Early admission, which will get participants in the doors at 8 a.m., is $5. General admission at 8:30 a.m. is $1.

The sale at the former Westbrook Tire and Service at 308 Main St. includes household items, furniture, china and glass, linens, toys, baby equipment, books and holiday items.

A preview sale for those who pay $5 admission is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, but items cost 50 percent higher than the ticketed price.