Sports memorabilia auction to aid youths with eating disorders

Jack Britvan, a commercial real estate broker in Woodbury, had been gathering sports memorabilia for years in his garage with no particular plans for it.

Then he heard about Project HEAL, an organization run by three teenaged girls and dedicated to helping young people with eating disorders who cannot afford proper treatment.

Traditionally, mostly women have attended their fundraisers. Britvan realized his collection might be a door to another population of potential donors.

Thus was born a brunch at Carlyle on the Green in Farmingdale May 23 that will include appearances by several former Mets and Yankees – including Ed Kranepool, Art Shamsky, Paul Blair, Fritz Peterson and Ron Blomberg – and auctions featuring much of Britvan’s trove.

The highlights include uncut sheets of 1987 cards – including an autographed one of Darryl Strawberry – triple photo cards from 1930, gold plated Babe Ruth coins, board games and many other items.

Britvan has helped various charities over the years, but the story Project Heal told him of a dangerously underweight 12-year-old named Jessica touched him.

So it was time to part with his collection, accumulated over decades. “There comes a time when you’ve enjoyed it and you want other people to enjoy it,’’ he said.