"We didn't know if anyone would come," says Betty Kirtland, who was president at the time of the first rummage sale. "But then the doors opened and—whoosh—people rushed in."

Although Kirtland says the group was aiming to raise $5,000, it ended up surpassing its goal. By the time the sale was over, the group had earned $20,000 that went to local organizations like the Youth Science Institute and a children's theater program that the league started.

Raising money may have been the goal, but Kirtland says the experience of organizing the first rummage sale was priceless.

Despite the camaraderie, putting the event together wasn't easy. The leaguers labored over logistics, distributed 15,000 flyers to publicize the event and pillaged their garages for high-quality items to donate to the sale. The members also added a dash of creativity to make the work more enjoyable—they penned a song for the event and created a mascot named Rummage Sale Rose.

The league's efforts were recognized in local papers. However, back in 1969, women's fundraising activities were relegated to the "Women's Page" in the San Jose Mercury News.

"It was the only way we could get publicity at that time," Kirtland says.

Thirty-eight years later, the Junior League members are following in the steps of their predecessors. Kirtland, who is a sustaining member—a member who is still involved in the organization but not active full time—is still involved in the rummage sale and will be stationed in the boutique department this year.

Marit MacDonald, who is co-chairing this year's rummage sale, says the fundraiser is thriving.

"It started as a fundraiser, but it has evolved into something more," she says. "It's an opportunity for low-income families to buy high-quality goods."

The sale, which is scheduled for March 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is set up like a department store inside the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Pavilion. This 33,000-square-foot space is divided into several sections, selling items like pots and pans, kitchen electrical appliances, clothes for children, toys, china and silver.

Repeat customers, MacDonald says, often arrive at 4 a.m. to ensure a spot in the front of the line. Families strategize ways in which they can divide and conquer.

"Someone from last year explained to me that they have different family members go to different departments," MacDonald says.

The event has grown in size and popularity since its inception, but the goal remains the same—to raise money for the league's community projects. Funds from the rummage sale will go toward a grant for the Triton Museum and training new members for volunteer work.

This year also marks a big change in the rummage sale. Although it's usually held in October, members decided to move the event to March. Because membership begins in October, moving the rummage sale up allows new members more time to learn how to organize a large fundraiser. Last October, four Almaden Valley residents—Melissa McCoy Evans, Annette Reavis, Leslie Perez and Shanan Resop—were named members of the Junior League's board of directors.

The Junior League of San Jose has chosen a wide variety of groups to contribute to over the years, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Clara County and Junior Achievement of Santa Clara County. This year the league's focus is on preparing children for kindergarten.

The Junior League rummage sale will take place March 19 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will also include a Community Health and Service Fair from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit www.jlsj.org.