Fox Chapel Presbyterian looking ahead to Harvest Fair, seeking donations

Summer weather is just starting to heat up, but leaders of the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Harvest Fair are already thinking about crisp autumn days.

Collections kicked off this week for the annual fundraiser, scheduled for Sept. 9-10, and organizers are hoping to grow the much-loved sale-a-palooza to pre-pandemic levels.

“While we had to make accommodations because of the pandemic the last couple of years, we are getting organized to be more like the traditional fair,” Director Gwen Zaleski said. “We will be back to our previous layout using more rooms in the church so items will be more easily spread out and displayed.”

Donations are being accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the church hall entrance off Springhouse Lane. Items should be new or lightly used.

Zaleski said all of the traditional sale departments will return this year, including furniture, crystal/china, clothes, linens, jewelry, books, toys, sports, art, garden and accessories.

“We hope to have a larger bake sale, and light meals should be available both days,” Zaleski said.

The Harvest Fair is a wildly successful fundraiser that has brought in countless dollars that are doled out to community nonprofits and those across the globe.

In 2021, the event raised $75,000 that was split among 32 area groups like St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in Sharpsburg, Backpacks for Hunger, Fox Family Cares, Light of Life Rescue Mission, Circles/Roots of Faith, Hosanna House and Aspinwall Meals on Wheels.

Items not sold were donated to local charities so that everything found a home.

“It means so much to the Harvest Fair volunteers to see the money we raised going back into the community,” Volunteer Carol Huff, of O’Hara, said. “Since we started this event in 1954, so many charities have benefited over the years.”

Even the pandemic couldn’t snuff out efforts completely.

A modified event was hosted in 2020 and brought in more than $55,000, Zaleski said.

This year, organizers are hoping to offer a wide variety of treasures and are seeking furniture, antiques, home decor, jewelry, sports team clothing and collectibles, holiday decorations, luggage, lamps, toys, paperback books and shoes.

Huff said shoppers with a keen eye will find lots to love.

“Vintage clothes are the hottest trend right now,” she said.

Some items will not be accepted. They include encyclopedias, textbooks, VHS or cassettes, computers, old style tube TVs, large exercise equipment, skis, bed pillows and non-compliant car seats and cribs.

Huff said the fair goes a long way toward the sustainability movement. People are looking for eco-friendly alternatives, she said.

“A savvy shopper who also cares about the environment can come to the fair and find great bargains, some of which have never been worn,” Huff said.

Last year, someone donated a Dior beret. Though it had been worn, it was a steal on the price, Huff said.

“We have name brands that are in great condition and some still have the tags on them,” she said. “It’s a fun aspect of volunteering. You never know what will be donated.”

Organizers also are in need of people to volunteer their trucks or larger SUVs for donation pick-up.

Huff said manpower will be supplied.

“The church is always extremely grateful for all the support from the community,” she said. “The support from the community is our key to success. People may be surprised to know that many volunteers are not church members.”

Anyone interested in volunteering can call 412-576-8898.