NOVA Thrift Shop uses silent auctions to increase impact of higher value donations

For those who wish to contribute valuable household items and clothing to charity but don’t want to see them sold for typical thrift shop prices, NOVA Thrift Shop in Fountainville uses a silent auction to bring in significantly more money for the select high-end donations it receives.

That means Uncle Joe’s ancient mandolin or Mom-mom’s like-new Coach handbag will go to someone who really appreciates the item’s quality and beauty – while allowing the donor’s gift to make a far more satisfying impact on the charity the shop supports.

In late June NOVA Thrift Shop, which raises nearly a quarter million dollars annually to fund initiatives at Network of Victim Assistance, the victim advocacy and support nonprofit, kicked off its silent auction as a means to showcase the better items that were showing up in donations.

Its first sale was a vintage 18-inch plastic Pinocchio that brought in $150. Since then, the shop has raised $6273 on 267 items placed in the auction, with an additional $2285 in active bids or items waiting to be picked up.

The auction is “the baby” of volunteer Denise Held of Doylestown, and it’s her eye more than any other volunteer’s that identifies the special items making it into the showcases and glass curio cabinets for registered shoppers to bid on.

“One of the first items set aside for the auction,” says Held – and her favorite piece so far – “was a vintage leather belt with sterling silver studs and a sterling buckle.” Polished and cleaned, it sold for $190. A Murano art glass vase brought in a cool $250.

Not all items go for such three-figure bids. Many of the 50 or so vintage, antique or specialty items in the auction on any given day – including clothing, jewelry, curios or household pieces – fall into the $30 or $40 range.

Those who wish to bid in NOVA Thrift’s silent auction must sign up for an exclusive bidder’s number. All bidding and bid-checking takes place in the store, which is open 7 days a week, 10am-5pm except noon-5pm on Sunday. Donations are accepted every day until 4:30pm.

Each item is assigned its own auction number, starting bid and minimum raise. An item remains in the auction line-up until 7 days have passed with no action, at which time the winning bidder is notified. Winners then have 7 days in which to pick up their purchase.

NOVA Thrift Shop, founded in 2001, is at 1628 Swamp Road (Route 313), Fountainville, PA 18923. For more information: 215.249.8000.