Picture this.

A longtime art collector closes his respected gallery in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

He is diagnosed with cancer. His wife has Alzheimer’s. And he is thinking not only of what he will do with his art collection but what good he will do in the world.

That’s the real-life story of retired lawyer Dick Poole and his wife Elisa, who have donated the bulk of their 500-piece collection to Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, to be sold at a special auction. All the proceeds go to Habitat.

I got to know Dick when I was one of many volunteers and staff helping to plan the event. He is generous, smart and has fabulous taste–and just got great news from his doctors, who found him cancer free. Bidders will find lots of wonderful paintings to buy, including many by Delaware artists.

There’s still time to register for the auction, to be held Friday, March 14 at Arsht Hall on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The preview gala starts at 5:30 p.m. Bidding begins at 7 p.m., with renowned auctioneer Alasdair Nichol wielding the gavel. Nichol is vice chairman of Freeman’s, an esteemed auction house in Philadelphia, and is donating his considerable talents to the event. You might known him as the guy with the Scottish brogue who appraises art on the PBS show Antiques Roadshow.

You can sign up for the event at the Habitat website. Admission is $40 or $50 at the door.