From Parents to Students to Staff and Friends: Community Spirit Powers RCDS Rummage Sale Record

The Rumson Country Day School’s Annual Rummage Sale once again proved why it’s considered the largest tag sale in New Jersey—and this year, it broke new records. The school’s longest-running philanthropic tradition, the Rummage Sale, offers affordable shopping opportunities for the community, supports local charities, raises essential funds for the RCDS tuition assistance program, and provides an opportunity for students to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.

Held each spring and led this year by dedicated chairs Caitlin Bovo, Catherine Eby, and Amy Howell, the event is a community-wide endeavor. In the days leading up to the sale, RCDS’s Blake Gymnasium is transformed into a bustling marketplace, thanks to the tireless efforts of parent volunteers. They sorted and displayed thousands of donated items ranging from boutique treasures to everyday household essentials. When the doors opened, thousands of eager shoppers lined up around the block to take part in the tradition. The result: over $100,000 raised for tuition assistance—a Rummage record!

“The RCDS community looks forward to this event every year–not just because it brings us all together for a common purpose, but because we are able to see the multitude of ways that we can help families in our community beyond measure,” said Rummage Sale Co-Chair Caitlin Bovo. “Also, seeing our students step up as spokespeople for the event and use their time and voices to support something meaningful–that’s what it’s all about.”

In addition to raising money for tuition assistance, the sale benefited several local nonprofit organizations including the Monmouth County SPCA, Goodwill, Horizons Student Enrichment Program, Rising Treetops, and Soles for Souls which received unsold donations.

The impact of the Rummage Sale extends far beyond the fundraising. The tradition ties directly into RCDS’s mission to educate the whole child through its Four Pillars: Kind, Honest, Responsible, and Respectful. Through hands-on engagement, students experienced the power of service in action and contributed directly to the event’s success. Lower School students focused on environmental responsibility by creating posters about sustainability and the benefits of reusing goods. Fourth graders assumed leadership roles to educate their Lower School peers about the importance of the Sale and to encourage younger students to donate items and attend with their parents. Sixth graders applied math lessons to calculate and publicize discounts and savings. Upper School students designed bilingual signage in English and Spanish to ensure an inclusive shopping experience. Seventh graders partnered with a buddy from Rising Treetops, an all-year respite care and summer camp for individuals with special needs, to guide them through a personal shopping pre-sale.

By participating in varied ways, students not only learned valuable lessons about civic responsibility and teamwork, but they also applied classroom lessons in a meaningful way. As the School community looks ahead to next year’s Rummage Sale, there’s growing excitement about expanding student engagement even further—offering more opportunities to connect learning with purpose and to inspire the next generation of compassionate learners.