Bargain hunting and donating to a good cause came together Nov. 6–9 at the 39th annual Charity Garage and Estate Sale hosted by The Settlement Home for Children.

The event is the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year to help the boys and girls the organization supports. This year the event brought in $601,279, said Andi Kelly, public relations and marketing director. Funds raised will help The Settlement Home provide the children who live at its facility with all the typical experiences of growing up such as attending summer camp or going to the movies.

"We're so fortunate we're supported by this community," Kelly said. "We receive some funding from the state, but it falls short of our needs to run the facility and provide for the kids. We fundraise for the rest of it."

For every dollar made, 91 cents supports The Settlement Home's services and programming. That includes its residential treatment center; adoption and foster services; and food, housing, schooling and counseling. The organization strives to help children—ranging from infants to people in their early 20s—who come from unstable living conditions so they may continue to grow and develop in a safer environment.

The Settlement Home also provided vouchers to organizations that help lower-income families. More than 400 vouchers, each worth $25 of merchandise, were used at the sale.

"Instead of giving somebody some stuff, they get to pick out what they like and need," Kelly said.

Each year the nonprofit touches about 250 lives through its services, Executive Director Darcie DeShazo said.

"When I talk to people about why they donate or volunteer, I think it's based on the human connection," she said. "I think there's just a pull on the heartstrings to help children that haven't had a fair shake at life."

In January, The Settlement Home will begin collecting items for next year's sale. Interested donors may call the nonprofit's donation hotline at 512-448-5302 to make arrangements for pickup or drop-off of items.

1600 Payton Gin Road, 512-836-2150, www.settlementhome.org