Recent Fox Chapel Area graduate Siheng Chao spent the last few weeks of summer – before starting classes at the University of Pittsburgh – picking up and packing thousands of donations for one of the area’s most anticipated fall events, the Harvest Fair at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church.

“We literally did everything, from driving to peoples’ houses to pick up furniture, to sorting new donations that come in on a minute-by-minute basis,” the 18-year-old said. “We learned some new skills and got a bit stronger physically.

He was joined by Joe Costantino, 15, who ran track with Chao at FCA.

Costantino, who started his sophomore year on Aug, 29, said, “moving furniture was probably one of my favorite things to do there.

“I also helped them organize, clean and test out products. It was a great experience by meeting many new people and helping out at the church.”

The Harvest Fair is a two-day event, scheduled Sept. 8-9, with literally thousands of items for sale. Donations start pouring in when snow is still on the ground.

Volunteers work for months to sort furniture, glassware, clothes, sports equipment, books and jewelry that fills dozens of rooms inside the church during the sale.

“The boys have been a blessing,” Volunteer Coordinator Fay Powell said. “They are hard-working, enthusiastic and thoughtful — the perfect example of volunteers.”

Their efforts made it possible for the Harvest Fair team to continue its annual mission project, Powell said.

Founded in the 1950s, the Harvest Fair has become a destination for shoppers, thrifters, upcyclers and those who enjoy a treasure hunt. It draws hundreds of people browsing for good deals on upscale clothing, furniture, jewelry and artwork.

The event brought in $87,000 last year.

Proceeds are split among three dozen local nonprofits and others across the globe.

Area groups that have benefited include the The Women’s Center and Shelter, local food banks, Youth Empowerment Project of Sharpsburg, Roots of Faith/Circles, Fox Families Care, Backpacks for Hunger, Aspinwall Meals on Wheels, Hosanna House and Hosanna Industries.

Committee member Carol Huff said it was meaningful to have the younger volunteers sign on to help.

“These two boys have been outstanding,” she said. “All through the summer, they showed up on time and worked hard, often doing hard work like moving furniture and boxes.

“Extremely dedicated, they never complained and always looked for more to do.”

Huff said the pair made a huge difference in what the committee was able to accomplish.

And their work is not done. The teens plan to work at the fair, helping wherever necessary.

“I thought it would be cool to be a part of this community effort, especially considering how much they raise on a yearly basis and how much that matters to people who need help,” Chao said.

“The one big reason that I enjoyed volunteering was the people that I was working with. On top of that, the schedule was flexible. The most enjoyable moment will definitely be when the fair happens and all of our summer work turns into fruition.”

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