The Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children yesterday cut the ribbon on the newly rebuilt Bargain Box, reopening the building for business.

The original Bargain Box opened in 1975 as a fundraising arm of the Committee of 25, selling second-hand clothing and household goods and using the profits to help provide medical and educational equipment for physically challenged children.

In 2006, the Committee decided to tear down the building, which was originally meant to be temporary. Construction on the new building began in June of 2007.

Board member of the Committee of 25 Nicola O'Leary thanked the volunteers for their support, and reinforced the purpose of the facility.

"With this reopening, we look forward to continuing the service provided to the community through the re-sale of clothing and small goods to those who may not be able to afford otherwise," said Dr. O'Leary.

Since its original opening, the Bargain Box has raised over $1 million for the charity.

"For over five decades our emphasis has been on assisting physically challenged children and in so doing, assisting, their families," said Dr. O'Leary. "While many of the children we support have multiple medical concerns sometimes undiagnosed we also support a number of children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, hearing loss, autism and Down's Syndrome, each with their own challenges for the child and for the family."