A local historian and collector is putting his entire collection on sale to benefit metal health care for underpriveliged kids.
Gary Benoit has been collecting everything that catches his fancy for the past 20 years.
It started with Boise memorabilia, but morphed into Star Wars toys, Coke products, antique Boise furniture, and even a wide variety of farm decorations owned by famous Boise restauranteur Peter Schott.
Gary used to store all of his collectibles in a building he owned in the downtown area.
Lots of space meant lots of memorabilia. But then he decided to sell the building.
"About two years ago we sold the building and were out of storage space." says Benoit.
So they decided to sell it all to benefit the Children's Home Society of Idaho which provides mental health care to kids who's families can't afford it. Unfortunately, too many idaho kids fit that profile.
Anselme Sadiki is the executive director of the Children's Home Society of Idaho-"Idaho has probably one of the highest suicide rates for children in the nation," explains Sadiki, "5th highest actually."
Shockingly, that amounts to more than 100 kids lost to suicide every year. So the Benoits filled the old Salvation Army building on State Street next to Flying Pie for a sale to help improve child mental health.
Sadiki says he's amazed by the generosity of the Benoits, "We're absolutely grateful to Gary and janet for this kind act. That's an example to the rest of the members of the community."
The items are like a trip back in time. There's old River Fest posters, handmade pottery, even decorations once owned by famous Boise resauranteur Peter Schott. And it's all first come first served.
Every penny goes to the Children's Home Society
And then Gary says he can start his collections ... Anew.
The sale runs through Sunday. Doors open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Everything must go.
