Delaware donation nets more than $50K for Habitat for Humanity

Original artwork donated for an auction benefiting Habitat for Humanity’s New Castle County chapter was a “complete success.”

Director of Communications Leon Tucker says the nonprofit’s first-ever art auction raised more than $66,000.

“All 110 paintings were auctioned with the most expensive item being our signature piece, [a painting depicting a fishing pier in Ocean City], which went for $4,000.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the art auction will benefit Habitat’s New Castle County chapter and CEO Kevin Smith says those dollars will be put to use right away. The nonprofit is currently working on seven homes in Wilmington, with four more planned for later this year.

Delaware natives Dick and Elisa Poole donated a fifth of their more than 500-piece collection. The Pooles estimate they bought about 10 paintings a year over the course of their 50-year marriage. 

Elisa Poole suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and a cancer diagnosis for Dick almost two years ago got him to thinking about what he should do with his art collection. A friend, who also serves on Habitat for Humanity’s board, inspired him to donate some of his watercolor and oil works to the nonprofit for the auction. 

“I hope [the buyers will] get as much pleasure from the art that they purchase as Elisa and I have had over the years,” Poole said.