The upcoming Thrift for Charity event will be raising funds in support of the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant in Paris on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Shar O’Neill said while she had been thinking about selling secondhand items and donating the funds to a local charity for a while now, Thrift for Charity only just came to life this past summer.
“As a concept, it’s been percolating in my brain for 20-plus years now, but we did our first event during Paris Vintage Fest this past August,” she said. “I gave buyers a few different charities to choose from and we were able to raise over $300 in just a few hours, which we were able to give a little bit each to Nova Vita Brant, the Sexual Assault Centre, the SaIvation Army Food Bank and Northern Connection Rescue.”
After a successful first event, O’Neill decided to host another event, moving it indoors.
“My wonderful friends at Big Cityyy Arts suggested approaching St. Paul’s United Church about hosting it there, and the church ended up letting us use the space for free, which I’m so grateful for,” she said. “Rubyyy [Jones] also suggested it might be easier to support one charity at a time, so that September event ended up raising $683 for Nova Vita. We also donated all the leftover clothing to them because they have a little boutique in the shelter where the clients can shop for free. And then anything they weren’t going to use, they could then share with other organizations as well.”
With two successes under her belt, O’Neill soon started planning for the upcoming event on November 14.
“While the church donated the space for our first indoor Thrift for Charity, I know that’s not sustainable for them. We ended up asking for sponsorship and we actually got one almost right away, which is great because the idea is for all proceeds to go to a charity,” she said. “So, we’re now accepting donations on the next two Wednesdays, November 4 and 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s. We’re looking for anything seasonal, whether fall- or winter-themed, including housewares, clothing, books, toys and even decor, ideally in great condition.”
O’Neill said the event is ideal for those who enjoy the thrill of finding a great secondhand bargain while giving back to the community.
“Firstly, it’s sustainable, giving people a reason to purge their closets or homes while keeping things out of the landfill,” she said. “It also provides an accessible way for people to buy new-to-them items, with the price-point being about $5 to $10. People get great items at great prices, the proceeds go back to a good cause, and on top of that we’re raising awareness about local organizations. I like to call that a win-win-win.”
O’Neill added that being able to give back to the community has been a gratifying experience.
“I did work for a local non-profit at one point, and I was able to see the direct impact of how these donations, no matter how big or small, can support vulnerable people right away,” she said. “Being a sort of ambassador for local organizations and helping them get the word out about their work and their services, while educating potential financial donors or those people in the community who may need those resources, it’s hard to find words to describe that feeling. It feels good to be doing heart-centred work again.” It just feels very circular in a super positive way. There’s no downside.”
For those who are interested in attending the event, the next Thrift for Charity will be held on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at St. Paul’s United Church in Paris.
As well, O’Neill encouraged people to join her Thrift for Charity Facebook group where people can post items they’re looking to pass on to a new owner in exchange for a donation of their choice.
“I’m hoping people will use it like Facebook Marketplace. The idea being that between you and the buyer, you determine the price and pick out a charity to donate to,” she said. “Then the buyer can just send a screenshot of their donation, because most organizations have an option to do so online, and then find a place to meet up. It’s great because it’s an accessible way for these charities to donate as quickly as possible.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
