The Animal Refuge Center in North Fort Myers is hosting an “Antique Roadshow” fund-raiser next weekend at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fort Myers.
Styled after the now famous PBS show, people will be able to have their antiques and curiosities appraised by specialists, including renowned appraiser Peter Curran.
ARC Communication Director Carlos Navedo said people will have the chance to find out if some of their trash might actually be treasure, all while helping the largest no kill shelter in the county.
“We really want the public to come out,” Navedo said. “With the economy being what it is, we may find something in our garages or our closets that’s of value.”
Navedo said the organization hosted a similar event in the past, but nothing of this magnitude.
Joining forces with Peter Curran was key, Navedo said, because Curran was able to convince three other appraisers to join him for the fund-raiser.
Curran, an animal lover, appraised items at ARC’s first antique-themed event.
“He’s an avid animal lover,” Navedo said of Curran. “Most of the time he’s traveling, but he comes down here to Southwest Florida to stay for a few months every year.”
People can have two items appraised for $20.
Each item must be able to be carried or rolled into the Crown Plaza Hotel, because the appraisers won’t be available to look at cars or other larger items that won’t fit through the hotel’s doors.
He said the ARC is trying to hit $10,000 in funds to help care for the more than 500 animals that call the 22.5-acre sanctuary home.
Realistically, he said they would be happy with anything, and hopes that people come out to have a great time.
“We’d love to hit the $10,000 mark, but most importantly we want the public to come out and support a great cause, and a great agency,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for everyone, because they’ll know their goods are being appraised by people of the highest quality,” he said.
For more information on the ARC’s Antique Appraisal Day, contact Carlos Navedo at 470-1368 or Carlos@AnimalRefugeCenter.com