By Rich Larson
As the academic year winds down at Carleton College, an annual event is transforming end-of-term move-out clutter into a major community fundraiser. The “Lighten Up!” sale, organized by the Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE), will return to Laird Stadium next Friday, June 19th, offering thousands of items at bargain prices while promoting sustainability.
Each year, students donate belongings they no longer need or cannot take home, ranging from clothing and bedding to small furniture, books, and sports equipment. In recent weeks, collection pods placed around campus have made it easy for students to contribute, streamlining the process and reducing the need for volunteers to gather items manually from dorms.
The result is a massive inventory—more than 50,000 pounds of reusable goods—carefully sorted by a “small army” of volunteers. Many of these helpers come from local nonprofit organizations that benefit directly from the sale’s proceeds, including the Northfield Union of Youth, Special Olympics, Project Friendship, and Growing Up Healthy.
“This event really depends on collaboration,” said Northfield Mayor Erica Zweifel, who is also the Assistant Director for Community Impact at CCCE. “We simply couldn’t do it without the volunteers and community partners who show up each year.”
The sale, open to the public, draws large crowds of bargain hunters eager to browse categories such as electronics, kitchenware, clothing, and even dorm-sized refrigerators. The location, which is on the ground floor, underneath the stadium stands, allows for an organized layout.
Beyond fundraising, Lighten Up! highlights sustainable practices. Unsold items are repurposed or redistributed through local vendors and organizations. Textiles may be turned into cleaning rags or quilts, while remaining goods are donated back to the community, ensuring minimal waste.
The Lighten Up! Sale will run from 7:30am – 4pm on the 19th, and from 7:30am until 4pm and Saturday the 20th. Bag Sale pricing will run from 1pm until 4pm on the 20th.
Rich Larson is the owner and General manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net.
