The Charles Wright Parent Association took a big step toward building the new Language and Performing Arts Center with record-breaking sales at the annual Wright Stuff rummage sale last weekend. In three days, the sale brought in $53,447. An astounding $40,000 was collected on Saturday alone.

The Parent Association was the first to commit its support to the Boundless Expression capital campaign. In May, the Association committed 80 percent of proceeds from the rummage sale, auction and other fundraisers that will be held over the next five years. This $2 million commitment was the first of several lead gifts to the campaign. The Parents Association will cover more than 15 percent of the cost of the new building.

Thanks goes out to all those who made the sale a success with their donations, purchases and volunteer hours. This year’s Wright Stuff leadership team deserves special recognition; those tireless volunteers are Laura Gardner, Laura Desner, Pam Martin, Rich Osaka, Kari Whitney, Sue Carson, Sue Weston and Liz King.

In addition to supporting the school, the Association also found creative ways to use all the goods collected to help the rest of the community.

Charles Wright has a deep connection with Catholic Community Service’s Phoenix Housing Network. Twice a year the school opens Chapel Home and welcomes to campus the rotating emergency shelter for homeless families with children. Students also host the annual Christmas Dinner for every family that has received emergency or transitional housing assistance from the program throughout the year.This year the Parents Association provided transportation, babysitting and $650 gift certificates to the rummage sale to every family currently housed by the Network. Volunteers even found a way to help these families store their purchases until they get into their own apartments.

On Sunday night, the Parents Association found itself in the fortunate position to generously give unsold merchandise to other local nonprofit organizations in need:

The Goodwill will resell items to benefit their on-going programs and will also provide vouchers to the YWCA’s domestic violence program, helping families in crisis rebuild their lives.

The Boys Ranch, another of the area’s biggest recyclers of household items and clothes, will send leftover clothes to a number of partner organizations in need.

The Crossings Church will resell the items they received to fund a free dental program for low-income families.

The Allan Church will set up a holiday boutique of clothes, toys and books for those who can only afford inexpensive gifts this season.

The 7th Day Adventists Outreach Program will share the things they collected with eleven homeless programs and crisis centers in Thurston and Mason counties.

Grace Community Church will provide coats, blankets and other essentials to homeless families and individuals who seek assistance at a downtown location.