St. Luke’s Thrift Shop in Tryon is trying a new way to raise funds for St. Luke’s Hospital, and it’s an easy way for shoppers to find online bargains.

Gail Dyer, Thrift Shop manager, has announced the shop’s marketing efforts which now include the popular web-based site known as eBay.

“eBay, which can best be described as an electronic department store or auction, will daily open the door to millions of potential customers,” Dyer said. “Our hope is that this will prove to be an excellent platform to sell small, unique craft creations, collectables and antiques such as antique toys, jewelry, handmade sweaters and accessories.

Cathy Calure, who set up the St. Luke’s Thrift Shop eBay site, said the size of the items for sale or auction is important because of the cost and method of shipping.

“The ideal item should be small enough to be shipped with the US Postal Service and only to US destinations,” Calure said. “Any profit can quickly disappear when selling and shipping to international points.”

St. Luke’s Thrift Shop, operated by a group of dedicated volunteers, has long provided a great place downtown to shop for gently used bargains of clothes, accessories, furniture and home goods. The thrift shop also provides a great service and tax write off for people looking for more space in their homes, closets, kitchens or storage sheds.

By selling items on the internet, Thrift Shop volunteers and members of St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary say they hope to increase their contributions to St. Luke’s Hospital. All money raised through the sale of donated items is used to help support the purchase of technology and upgrades for the community hospital. Each year, the Auxiliary contributes approximately $20,000 to St. Luke’s Hospital.

St. Luke’s is extremely lucky to have an active group of volunteers who assist at the Thrift Shop and at the hospital, where they provide a myriad of assistance from delivering mail to all departments to offering juice and a newspaper to patients.

“We are always looking for good people who can spare a few hours a week to help out, so please don’t be shy, the volunteer door is always open,” Dyer added. “And please don’t forget us when it comes to donating any practical and reusable item.”

– article submitted by Kathy Woodham