By Sunny McKinnon
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

In just four months, the Treasure Chest resale shop at Highland Springs—with a committee of six led by Marie Higa—has collected and priced hundreds of items that residents no longer need, hosted an auction, held monthly sales, and raised more than $2,500 for the community’s Benevolent Care Fund.

Higa, who with her husband Pete moved in to Highland Springs on the first day the community opened its doors, says she signed on as chair because she thought the project sounded interesting. “We’re all downsizing and need to get rid of things,” she says. “You hate to just throw things away, so it’s nice to know that someone is going to benefit.”

The Treasure Chest accepts donations of household items and furniture. “We sell mostly furniture, seasonal items like at Christmas, knickknacks, and more. We can’t take bedding or clothes, but one of our members also volunteers with the Assistance League of Dallas, so she can take those items to their shop which helps poor children,” Higa says.

To the highest bidder
Along with in-store sales held once or twice a month, the Treasure Chest auctioned an original oil painting donated by Ted Seloff, the committee’s cashier. The painting added more than $400 to the fund.

The project next on the agenda for the committee is the auction of a dollhouse made and donated by Dick Steudtner. Complete with chandeliers, the structure is a replica of Tara, the plantation made famous in Gone With the Wind. Committee members are contributing to the completion of the dollhouse, painting trim and making furnishings.

A financial safety net
Proceeds from the Treasure Chest benefit Highland Springs’ Benevolent Care Fund, which provides a financial safety net for residents of the community, ensuring that anyone who moves into the community will never be asked to move out if unforeseen medical events deplete their resources. The fund enables people to remain at Highland Springs and maintain their quality of life.