Mayor Pat Paul admits there was a lot riding on her shoulders when it came to the heavily promoted Shop for Charity event held at the former Blockbuster location at East F and North Maag Avenue April 29-30, but now that the event is over — and it was a huge success — the mayor might be able to catch some lost sleep.

“It was a lot of work. The potential for disaster was definitely there but it all came together in the end,” Paul said.

Friday night 600 tickets were purchased and 10 cases of wine were consumed as shoppers perused high-end designer clothing, making purchases that were a fraction of their retail price for a good cause.

“We had $13,000 in ticket sales that went directly to each group,” Paul said. “They (the individual charities) made a lot of money off their ticket sales.”

Participating organizations were: Oakdale Educational Foundation, Oakdale Women’s Club, Shelter Pet Alliance, Community Hospice, Haven Women’s Center, Family Support Network.

One group, the Oakdale Educational Foundation, reported $3,000 in ticket sales.

According to the ticket clicker, 1,200 people walked through the doors of the event Friday and Saturday and 1,800 items were sold.

“It was really phenomenal. We had so many volunteers, I don’t even know how to count them, probably over 30 all working in shifts,” Paul said. “Kathy Miner (A Miner Miracle owner) was very happy with the event and she wants to come back. She has some very clever ideas.”

Paul said the success of the event is a showcase of more than just dollars and cents earned, it goes to show that charities competing for donations can work together harmoniously for a shared goal.

“It highlighted that every charity that needs help and there was none of that silly stuff of competing,” she said. “Everyone was flexible and they all rallied. I think everyone had a good time.”