By Alan Suderman
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The ladies of Eagle’s Trace recently had the opportunity to give to charity by buying jewelry and clothes. And clothes, and clothes, and more clothes.

“At prices like this, I can’t say no,” says Ruth Herman, who lives at Eagle’s Trace.

Treasure chest
Residents and employees as well as their families can search for hidden gems at the community’s own antique and flea market. Sweaters, dresses, purses, necklaces, and even a small TV were on sale as part of a one-day event put on by the Treasure Chest, the resident-run resale store at Eagle’s Trace. The event drew many eager to find a good deal.

After buying racy new lingerie, one woman joked, “My husband is going to have a heart attack tonight.”

Resale therapy
Although it may be tucked away in the corner of campus, the Treasure Chest has quickly become one of the more popular things to be a part of, reports  chairwoman Judy Meyer.

”I have more than 45 volunteers,” she says. “Working at the store is a great chance to socialize with other residents, plus it’s a lot of fun.” Meyer helped get the store started not long after Eagle’s Trace opened. She says she enjoys thinking of ways to get people to shop—and she’s no stranger to running a store.

“I’ve owned my own antique shop for more than 30 years, and I still work there on weekends,” she says. “I guess retail is in my blood.”

Nobles’ cause
The Treasure Chest is normally open Thursdays and Saturdays. Meyer says they needed an extra one-day sale because resident Wanda Nobles donated more clothes and jewelry than the store had room for.

Nobles donated so many new clothes to the Treasure Chest because, she  explains, she likes to shop and she really likes giving. The proceeds from the store go to the community’s Benevolent Care Fund (which ensures that residents never have to leave Eagle’s Trace for financial reasons) and toward educational scholarships for high school students on staff at the community.