Shoppers:Get ready to rummage

A $30 foosball table is poised to greet shoppers at this year’s rummage sale at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, followed by rows of golf clubs, a variety of luggage and a long line of bicycles — even a tricycle or two — in all colors and sizes.

That’s all before guests enter the 6,000-square-foot room behind the church that is chock full of clothing, furniture, electronics and other goods in preparation of Wednesday’s preview sale, kicking off the annual event that has been delighting local bargain hunters for 42 years.

“I think the size and the quality of the items are what makes this rummage sale really unique,” said event chairman Martin Taylor. “Just look around at all the great stuff we’ve got.”

More than 200 volunteers started moving, sorting and pricing thousands of items Sunday afternoon. All proceeds from their sale will go toward local nonprofits such as Women Helping Women, Shalimar Learning Center and Teen Challenge, which provided several volunteers for the event.

Veteran volunteer Edith Bird had no trouble assigning prices to the hundreds of necklaces, earrings, pins and bracelets that comprise the jewelry department. She’s been doing it for at least 20 years.

“After a while, you just sort of know,” she said, modeling a beaded wrist cuff.

Some of the more valuable items will be highlighted in an ongoing silent auction, including a black pearl necklace valued at $3,000, silver candelabras and a retro, pedal fire truck complete with hose.

Taylor was particularly proud of the variety of apparel on the “French rack” — a collection of the finest in women’s clothing — as well as vast selection of jigsaw puzzles and the four life-sized Christmas carolers donated by the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort.

In addition to the $50,000 that organizers expect to bring in, all leftover items will be sent to The Salvation Army and the Teen Challenge Thrift Store.

Shoppers can come for the preview sale from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday for a $3 donation. The rummage sale will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Admission is free.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is at 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. For more information, go to www.standrewspres.org or call (949) 631-2880.

Alicia Robinson contributed to this report.