Gold Mine or Fool's Gold? Find out April 7

We all have that special something.

Be it a baseball card, a stuffed animal, or an antique vase, people hold onto keepsake items for sentimental reasons or, in some cases, the hope of cashing in one day.

For those interested in the latter, you'll have an opportunity to see just how much that special item is worth on April 7, as the Council Rock Education Foundation hosts "What's it Worth?" -- a fundraiser to benefit the organization.

The event will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Southampton Summer Day Camp. Renowned appraiser, antiques expert, columnist, and television host Lori Verderame will give people the chance to find out if they've got a gold mine or fool’s gold.

“My goal is to give you honest appraisals for your antiques. Plus, we’ll laugh at your treasures and your junk," Verderame said.

Better known as “Dr. Lori,” the Bucks County resident has done both television shows and what she calls an “antiques appraisal comedy tour” for more than a decade. She also holds a PhD in art history and travels to at least 100 shows around the world each year to appraise thousands of items.

Part of Dr. Lori’s tour is fundraisers, though this will be the first time she’s done a benefit for CREF. Appraisals will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a ticket price of $40, good for admission to the event and one item for Dr. Lori to evaluate.

“I don’t go out if I don’t have a good time and I expect the same of my audiences,” said Verderame. “It’s a popular show, part of its popularity is the comedic aspect.”

The event is open to the public at a charge of $15 for those not having an item appraised. If time permits, additional items from the public will be able to be appraised at a charge of $15 each. Refreshments will be available, as will a 50/50 raffle and door prizes.

Since CREF is a non-profit organization, donations are tax deductible.

“This is our first community fundraiser for which the intent is to provide entertainment or a function for, and also engage, the community while raising money to benefit the Council Rock students through the Council Rock Education Foundation,” said CREF Co-President Marilyn Scarpa, who is aiming for 150 attendees. “We hope to provide the community with fun events that, in time, become part of the culture.”

“CREF's intent is to become the nucleus that binds the community with education and that extends outside of the walls of the classroom,” she added.

CREF has been revitalized over the past six years and runs completely on fundraisers and donations. Classes, organizations, and project facilitators within Council Rock School District can apply for grants through CREF.

Nine grants were awarded in 2010 for a variety of causes, including educating third and fourth grades about Lenape Indian songs and culture, and teaching students about renewable energy through a comprehensive wind power kit.

In the past, CREF also sponsored an anti-bullying program called Camp Ophelia.

“I am most proud of our successes. However, we can do so much more to
enrich classroom learning and inspire today's youth through education,” said Scarpa. “It is even more important to have business and community partners in these extremely difficult times where education budgets are gutted and mandates are unfunded.”

The Southampton Summer Day Camp/Upper Southampton Academy is located at 1459 Second Street Pike, Southampton, Pa. For more information on event, visit www.crsd.org/cref or www.DrLoriV.com.