Salvation Army in Raises $38,000 in Rochester Hills Auction

The following news was submitted by the Salvation Army.

The Rochester Hills Salvation Army Thrift Store recently hosted its 8th annual spring auction, raising more than $38,000 in support of The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

“Auction goers raised their paddles high and surpassed last year’s total making this a rousing success,” said Brian Smith, manager of the Rochester Hills thrift store. “It’s great to see the community coming together to raise money for such a great cause.”

All proceeds from the auction benefit The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Centers, independently funded, 180-day residential rehabilitation programs for adults. Completely self-funded, the ARC draws its entire operating budget from the revenue of the 32 Salvation Army Thrift Stores located in Southeast Michigan.

More than 220 bidders competed for more than 1,000 items at the auction, which was held at The Salvation Army’s Rochester Thrift Store on May 5. Auction-goers came from across Michigan and the country, with bidders traveling from Ohio, Virginia and Alabama to attend the auction.

Auction-goers were given the opportunity to bid on a variety of items ranging from housewares and clothing to toys and memorabilia. Competitive bids came in on unique items such as a Tony Almen and Peter Gest sculpture and reproduction Civil War cavalry swords. Other popular items included an autographed Gordie Howe hockey stick, Enid Collins purses and a historic sampler created in 1819. One auction-goer even spent $4,200 on bids throughout the day. 

All items for the auction were selected from the many donations made to the 32 metro Detroit Salvation Army Thrift Stores -- with the majority coming from the Rochester Hills location.