For more than 40 years, the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County has been helping local nonprofit groups with their annual Harvest Thrift Sale.

The sale - which boasts housewares, electronics and children's clothing - kicks off tonight with the Preview Party.

"There's a lot of sporting goods, bikes, golf clubs, great furniture, decorative drapes," said LeAnne Walters, the co-chairwoman for the thrift sale. "And we have added a new designer corner this year ... it's designer clothes; we have handbags and clothes. A lot of baby and children's toys and clothes.

"I would say that we have about the same as the past few years despite the downturn in the economy."

The Preview Party offers double-price shopping and also includes a silent auction, with items including spa packages and vacation getaways.

"We decided to switch to an all-silent auction to give people a little more time for dinner and to look around and shop," said Sabrina Cowart, co-chairwoman of the Thrift Sale. "We thought it would be nice and attractive to younger people to have some live entertainment to try and get some new people into the preview party."

Local musician David Anderson will be performing as guests feast on a catered dinner by Barberitos.

The Poor Man's Auction, also a popular feature, allows one winner to choose from auction items with the purchase of a $25 raffle ticket.

Tickets can be purchased at the Junior League office or at the door for the Harvest Thrift Sale or the Preview Party.

"There's a list of about 25 to 30 charities that will benefit from the thrift sale," Cowart said. "What we do is we as a League collect the money from this and then we distribute it out to our charities for Junior League."

The Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County is an organization of women who improve the community through action and leadership of volunteers.