UT Retail and Consumer Science students raised thousands of dollars for Habitat for Humanity at their Market Square boutique sale Saturday, April 12.

The students organized the sale as part of UT Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management professor Ann Fairhurst's course in professional development.

Katie Bruce, a senior in retail and consumer sciences and head of public relations for the sale, said the turnout was better than she expected. Several customers asked when they planned to hold another sale, Bruce said.

"Everybody wants us to do it more than once a year," Allie Peck, a junior in retail and consumer sciences, said. "Everybody's been really great and supportive."

Some customers even asked about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and wanted to know where they could donate their unneeded clothing.

I think it's important they learn to give back to the community they're working in. Ann Fairhurst, professor of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management

After such a great turnout, Fairhurst said her students will most likely organize another sale in 2009.

Customer Glenda Styles said she was impressed with the students' work.

"They really have great stuff and fantastic prices," Styles said. "Everybody's really friendly and wants to help you."

Fairhurst said she hopes her students learned a valuable lesson from the experience.

"Hopefully they will all be leaders in the business community," Fairhurst said. "I think it's important they learn to give back to the community they're working in."

Although Bruce said she enjoyed preparing for the sale and learning about business organization, she was also ready to "present the profit to Habitat."

Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit Christian housing ministry, will use the sale's proceeds to build affordable homes for those in need.

Unsold merchandise was returned to the Habitat for Humanity thrift store.