Oneonta business to help raise conservation funds

OCCA opens account at Silks and Treasures

Silks and Treasures, located in Oneonta at 11 Clinton Plaza, and the Otsego County Conservation Association, a countywide environmental organization with offices in Cooperstown, have joined forces to raise funds for OCCA’s various environmental initiatives. 

“Anyone wishing to help support OCCA’s mission may donate clothing or other appropriate items to the OCCA Silks and Treasure’s account,” said OCCA assistant director Teresa Winchester, who fostered the idea. 

Sixty percent of the selling price, to be determined by Silks and Treasures, will go to OCCA.  The percentage is 10 percent more than normally shared on consignments due to OCCA’s non-profit status.  Donors to the OCCA account may bring in 10 or fewer items weekly any day but Tuesday.  Appointments must be made for those who have a maximum of 25 items.

“We are so pleased here at Silks and Treasures to be able to help OCCA in some small way,“ said storeowner Linda Peeters. “It’s our chance to give back to the community that has supported us for the past ten years.”

“We are currently accepting spring and summer clothing,” said Peeters, who cautioned that items brought in must be in excellent condition.

Silks and Treasures guidelines specify that clothing must be in season, in style, clean, and on hangars or neatly folded.  Name-brands purchased in the last two years are in high demand. 

Besides contemporary clothing, Silks and Treasures also accepts vintage clothing, older jewelry, toys, children’s books, videos, and games, collectibles, small furniture, gift items (preferably in their original box), new small appliances, baby furniture and equipment.

Donors must follow store policies which apply to all customers. 

OCCA is a non-profit environmental organization, established in 1968.  Its activities and programs include major water quality initiatives, volunteer recruitment for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, Cooperstown container recycling, publication of Otsego Walks & Paddles, stewardship of Basswood State Forest, and organization of nature walks for the public. OCCA has been an active member of the Oneonta Susquehanna Greenway Committee and is working with many municipalities to promote sound land-use planning.

More information on OCCA is available at 547-4488, occa@wpe.com, or www.occainfo.org.  Guidelines for donations of clothing and other items are available through OCCA or at Silks and Treasures, 432-0587.