In The Name Of Charity

Louis Vuitton sandals. Fur coats. Vintage mink. Sparkling jewelry. 

Just a few of the more than 100 items auctioned off Tuesday evening at Holy Redeemer Thrift Store on County Line Road. In all, sale of the higher-valued goods brought in $1,400 to help Holy Redeemer “end our fiscal year with a bang,” according to thrift store Manager Linda Mayo.

“We’re trying to get as much cash in the coffers as we can,” Mayo said, adding that prior to the auction – and just two days before the fiscal year ends on June 30 – the store was about $10,000 shy of reaching its $180,000 fundraising goal. “We were just looking for a last push.”

Since the store opened five years ago, Mayo said sales have continued to increase. From 2008 to 2009, Mayo said sales grew by 55 percent. Like other second-hand stores, Holy Redeemer’s shop sells items donated by the community. On occasion, Mayo said the store receives contributed items that are just too pricey to tag and sell on the store floor.

Enter the silent auction. During a seven-day time frame, customers can place bids on items. At week’s end, the merchandise goes to the highest “bidder.” Mayo said Tuesday’s auction grew from that: “When I saw the backlog that we had for our silent auction.”

“I thought, ‘let’s just give this a shot,’ ” Mayo said.

The store’s first-ever live auction drew roughly 50 interested people, including Helen Lauterio, a Hatboro-based designer.

“I love coming here,” Lauterio said. “You never know what you’ll find.”

For Seymour Zayon, of Elkins Park, coming to the store’s auction wasn’t really out of the ordinary – at least for him.

“I come here every day,” said Zayon, as he perused the items. “I buy and sell at auctions.”

But, not every auction benefits charity. Auctioneer Tom Wakeley of Stephenson’s Auction in Southampton, was quick to point that out.

“Bid with your heart, not your pocketbooks,” Wakeley said.

After paying the store’s operating costs and salaries for 15 paid staff, Mayo said proceeds are earmarked for Holy Redeemer charities, which tend to center around women and children.

Half of this year’s funds will go to Holy Redeemer’s Drueding Center/Project Rainbow, Mayo said. The program provides transitional housing and comprehensive supportive services to homeless women and children in North Philadelphia.

Holy Redeemer spokeswoman Barbara L’Amoreaux said Holy Redeemer also provides home health and hospice services throughout the community, as well as free mammograms for women without insurance.

“We do lots and lots of community education,” L’Amoreaux said.