It may defy belief that a sequined designer dress, an office voodoo doll or a picnic basket perfect for kitten photography are not held onto steadfastly by their original owners.

To partygoers at the Tossed Out Treasures preview event Thursday, however, such items are just waiting for ownership to be transferred to new, more appreciative households, and hostesses from the Sandy Springs Society will be eager to help.

“The kitchen shop is looking great,” said event co-chair Diane Quintana. “I love books and this year we have a ton. Home décor has some wonderful, interesting things to liven up a space.”

Unlike flea markets, this resale event features individual shops within a former retail location rented at a discount from Mimms Enterprises.

“Big, empty spaces are more challenging. With things on top of each other, we were not as successful,” co-chair Jan Stewart said about previous locations. “This doesn’t feel like a garage sale. You feel like you’re shopping.”

The society’s 200 members lend their effort, expertise and design ability to make the shops inviting.

“It’s easy to be the chair when so many people are involved and they know what they’re doing,” Stewart said.

The 20th annual fundraiser already has 100 non-member reservations for the preview party and will raise about $50,000 for 21 local nonprofits over the three-day event, Quintana said.

“One of the reasons I am so thrilled to be involved is the money raised goes directly back into the Sandy Springs community,” she said.

Quintana, who joined the society in 2009, said membership helped her connect with other women after moving to Sandy Springs from Greenwich, Conn., in 2007.

“Being new to Atlanta, it was a real boon for me,” she said.

Greenwich’s loss is Sandy Springs’ gain, as Quintana responded to society president Peggy Stapleton’s request for leadership.

"This is right up my alley,” Quintana said about Stapleton’s proposal. “As a professional organizer, I could really lend my skills to the event.”

If you go

• What: Tossed Out Treasures
• When: Preview party from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday; $30 per ticket. Sale days are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; free admission.
• Where: North River Shopping Center, 8767 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs
• Benefits: Sandy Springs nonprofits
• Information: visit www.sandyspringssociety.org