St. Vincent de Paul trunk sale to benefit Centre County residents in need

STATE COLLEGE — The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store will hold a prom, bridal, designer and vintage trunk sale from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18, on the Our Lady of Victory Church Activity Center, 820 Westerly Parkway.

The trunk sale will offer more than 100 gowns and outfits, according to thrift store manager Janet Haner. These include a Monique Luo for David’s Bridal ivory strapless wedding dress with floating embroidered/beaded panels that is new with tags, a Riva Designs floor-length black silk sheath with flared beading design, a sheared beaver coat with fox trim, a Badgley Mischka gray sparkle suit, a Yves St. Laurent paisley brocade jacket, a Burberry gray plaid skirt suit, Bandolino silver wedge open-toe shoes, vintage Weiss rhinestone earrings and more.

The volunteers who manage the store feel a special responsibility to sell items for a good price, Haner said. Many of the pieces in the trunk sale were treasured belongings. However, trunk sale customers can be assured that the prices will be deals when compared with what the items would cost in a store or on online sites. For example, an Escada leather handbag, which still has its original price tag of $750, will be available for $125, and many of the prom gowns, originally $150 to $200 or more are priced at $40 to $75.

There will be a large dressing room available during the sale that features many mirrors to view outfits from every angle.

All of the proceeds from the trunk sale will go to help those in need in the community. Donations for the sale are still being accepted.

Through person-to-person involvement, members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provide discreet assistance, both spiritually and materially, to local families and individuals regardless of their religion, race or ethnicity. Financial assistance is provided for a wide range of needs including medical care, housing, utilities, food, clothing, transportation and more. A large portion of the funds for this help comes from the Thrift Store, located in the Westerly Parkway Plaza.

For more information about the trunk sale, or to receive a preliminary list of items being offered, contact the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store at (814) 867-3131 or olvsvdp@verizon.net.