Ralph Jackson, Community Depot director, sponsors the raffle of a 19th century Wooten desk, valued at $16,000.

VALDOSTA — Community Depot is reaching to the past to help the future.

The Valdosta-based charitable organization sponsors a raffle to give away a 19th century Wooten desk, valued at $16,000, said Ralph Jackson, Community Depot founder and director.

Community Depot is an organization which raises awareness and funds for the local chapters of the American Red Cross, Easter Seals and the Humane Society.

The Community Depot named its 1602 N. Ashley St. headquarters in honor of the late Valdosta State First Lady Joan Bailey.

The Community Depot uses the idea of a thrift shop to help its designated charitable organizations. People donate items to the Community Depot’s Joan Bailey Center, these items are readied for sale, and are sold with proceeds going toward the designated organizations. Meanwhile, shoppers can find items at low prices.

However, some donated items have the potential to garner higher prices. Items such as the Wooten desk with burled walnut front panels, for example. The desk has numerous slots, a slide-out desk board, and shuts away like a wooden cabinet when not in use.

Jackson said the desk is the type used by bankers in the 1800s. Wooten desks were mainstays for the dens of wealthy families such at the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts.

“Wooten was the king of desk makers,” Jackson said. “Some of these desks are going for $200,000 and $300,000.”

South Georgians can take a chance to win the desk for a $5 raffle ticket.

Jackson hopes the desk raffle will raise money for the Community Depot’s designated organizations and will bring people into the Joan Bailey Center to see what all the store offers.

Raffle tickets may be purchased from the Community Depot, 1602 N. Ashley St., and the organization’s board members (Community Depot is fully staffed by volunteers). More information: Call (229) 671-1755.