PANORAMA CITY : Goodwill Sale to Offer Specialty Items

An antique Rolex watch--a steal at $1,000--will be among the choice items on sale at Goodwill Industries of Southern California’s Preferred Merchandise sale Saturday and Sunday .

In the past, Chanel suits donated by a movie star were a featured item at the sale, whose proceeds support Goodwill’s programs for disabled people.

Combined with a two-day sale earlier this month in Los Angeles, the event--now in its sixth year--will offer more than $200,000 worth of previously owned goods, including antiques, china, furs, collectibles, Oriental rugs, crystal, jewelry, paintings and designer clothing.

The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Goodwill’s Panorama City plant, 14565 Lanark St.

Throughout the year the charity receives donations of merchandise sold in its thrift stores. The most unique items are held back and offered for sale at the annual event.

“It’s a chance to get an Armani suit for $50, or a Coach purse for $25,” said Jill Nickerson, a spokeswoman for Goodwill.

Nickerson said she hopes that people will also come to support the work that Goodwill does, and that those who aren’t familiar with its programs will gain a better understanding.

Among its programs are a training course for deaf people to learn computer-related job skills, a job placement program for mentally disabled people and employment workshops for disadvantaged people.

Goodwill made $50,000 from its Los Angeles sale and hopes to make $25,000 from the sale at its smaller San Fernando Valley plant. Nickerson said that Valley residents will get the first crack at the Panorama City plant’s inventory, not the remainders of the Los Angeles sale.

Goodwill helps 1,800 people a year and aided 170 people in finding jobs in 1993, Nickerson said.