
A part of this delightful time of year includes the enticement of feasts, festivals and auctions sponsored by the many local nonprofits that provide services to the underserved among us.
One of my favorites since it started in 2001 is Vintage Faire, an Upmarket Tag Sale, that raises money each year for the Mental Health Association (MHA) of Orange County.
This story serves not only as a reminder of the sale coming in two weeks on Oct. 11 and 12, but also of this easy option when downsizing. If a tax deduction means more to you than a little extra cash, then call the folks at the MHA and tell them you want to donate your gently used furniture, glassware, crystal, silver, rugs, lamps, fabric and artwork. They will take pretty much anything except clothes this year. If you have large items, they can arrange for a truck to pick them up; otherwise, they will gladly accept your quality items at the sale’s location, which this year is at University Mall in the former Storehouse space.
Since Rosemary Hutchinson, a native of England and former executive director and board member of MHA, founded Vintage Faire, the sale has raised between $10,000 and $15,000 each year, making up for consistent cuts in government funding while growing the services provided.
But the need continues to grow.
“The need is huge,†said Mary Fraser, a member of the MHA board for 12 years. “Over the past six years, there’s been a big growth in our capacity, but the need is huge.â€
Agency programs include Compeer, a one-on-one friendship between a person living with mental illness and a community volunteer; a youth program called Community Backyard; Family Advocacy Network, which provides support to parents of school-age children with special challenges; and the Northside Community Garden, where more than plants blossom.
Robin Dashman serves with Fraser as co-chair of this year’s Vintage Faire. She became a board member in May after getting to know Hutchinson through the annual sale.
“I went into Vintage Faire last year and bought it up,†Dashman said, adding that she had just completed an addition on her home that had doubled her space — and the sale had what she needed.
