ICANstruction Junction hosting holiday raffle
Returning northerners and residents looking to do home repair are invited to ICANstruction Junction, a unique shop that is holding a holiday raffle with year-round discounted home improvement items.
The shop has 5,300 square feet of “do-it-yourself” goods and furniture, and proceeds benefit Island Coast AIDS Network Inc. to support client programs for HIV/AIDS infected and affected individuals in Southwest Florida.
The shop has been known for five years in the area for its unique concept – new and used home improvement materials donated by local companies and individuals and resold at a fraction of the price.
For December, two special programs are going on at the shop.
“We’re holding a holiday raffle for an AIDs Tree of Hope, a tastefully decorated tree with an AIDS tribute theme, and for gift certificates to the store,” said store manager Vince Marcucci.
The tree was decorated by Rick Allen, director of operations for ICAN. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Gift certificates for $50 and $75 are also in the drawing.
The raffle runs through Saturday.
Marcucci said he is also trying something new this month – he has racks of clothing in the store for $1 a piece.
“They’ve been selling very well,” he said.
Year-round, he said, they have furniture, appliances, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, lumber, doors, windows and more items that are inexpensive, some used, some new. Cabinets are a big seller, and they have just gotten in a lot of wallpaper. They also receive antiques.
Polite hagglers are welcome in the store, Marcucci said.
“My philosophy is, ‘We don’t want a museum, we want to raise funds for our neighbors infected with HIV/AIDS,'” he said. “We are a local charity, and all the monies we raise stay right here in the Southwest Florida community.”
Melissa Simontis, director of development for ICAN, said the store is not only a winner for consumers and AIDS patients, but a winning situation for the environment.
“Donating or buying from ICAN is a green way to reroute landfill bound materials to productive use,” Simontis said.
Donors to ICAN receive a tax deduction, while putting the usable, sellable materials to good use, she added.
“Sales at ICAN support the programs and clients of Island Coast Aides Network and for our shoppers who are on a tight budget,” Simontis said. “They are able to get home improvement items 50 (percent) to 75 percent off retail prices.”
The store is located in the United Plaza, 13971 N. Cleveland Ave. It is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
For information, call Marcucci at 997-4226.