Community Corner
Mini Gold Rush at Conestoga High School
Parent-run committee strikes gold for after prom party event.
A steady stream of people from the community and community at large walked into the school with unwanted gold and silver Thursday. They walked out with cash in hand for themselves and the Conestoga After-Prom Celebration Organization (CAPCO).
Thursday was the third time this year the parent-run committee has held a cash for gold event to raise money for the party. The after-prom party is designed to give Junior Prom-attendees a safe place to go for fun after the dance. CAPCO Chairwoman Victoria Smith says the cash for gold events are a win-win-win because the sellers get market price for their unwanted gold jewelry, the gold buyers  (Russell and Shelley Ferrante of Downingtown) get a steady supply of customers and the after prom committee gets 10% of the sales.
Russell Ferrante was paying the market rate of $1,734 per ounce yesterday. It's important to note that that price is for pure 24k bullion and virtually no jewelry is made from pure gold. The pay off is still pretty good.
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Helena Quigley came in with a silver bowl and a container of gold jewelry. She walked out with a little over $1500. She is a regular customer of the Ferrantes. "I collect stuff throughout the year. (When) I don't wear it, don't want it, (or) I get tired of looking at it, I call," she explained. She had reached that point and called the Ferrantes not knowing about the Connestoga event. She was happy to help by trading her cash for gold at the school. She got her money and the after prom fund got another $150.
Thursday's event added up to $1,000 more dollars for the after prom party. That's the committee's cut based on the $10,000 worth of gold and silver items exchanged for cash on the spot. A previous cash for gold event brought in more than twice that amount.
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Smith says these are just some of the fundraisers held throughout the year to cover the projected cost of the event, transportation, security and the venue (Dave & Busters in Plymouth Meeting).
The Conestoga prom is scheduled for May 19 at the Springfield Country Club.
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