Frank Siller came close to putting his annual charity fur sale on hold this year. But as news of the nations economy grew grimmer by the day, he realized this could be the most important one yet.

Now more people are hurting, struggling and needing help, said Siller, the owner of the Staten Island Furrier, New Dorp.

Nearly 500 gently-worn furs -- ranging in price from $200 to $2,500 -- will be on sale Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Richmond.

Proceeds will benefit Project Hospitality and the Stephen Siller FDNY, Let Us Do Good Childrens Foundation, named in honor of his firefighter brother who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel on Sept. 11 only to perish while trying to save lives at Ground Zero.

The five previous sales have generated almost $100,000 for Project Hospitality.

Every day more and more people come to us, said the Rev. Jack Ryan of Project Hospitality. Without people like Frank Siller, we wouldnt be able to do what were doing.

Siller has often considered holding the sale every other year as a way to acquire more coats, but he couldnt abandon his cause at a time when food pantry lines are longer and shelves emptier.

I am not going to say this is my best year ever, but were not feeling the pinch as much as other people are feeling it so it is even more important for me to give back to the community this year.

Donated coats can be dropped off at Staten Island Furrier, 2361 Hylan Blvd.

For more information about the fur sale, call Anita Yuen at Project Hospitality at 718-448-1544, ext 163.