“Clothes Exchange Party” in Dana Point benefits Laura’s House
Posted on February 19, 2013
Since 1998, friends and neighbors of Dana Point resident and businesswoman, Diane Smith have exchanged clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories for items that are new to them, and then donated all remaining items to Laura’s House and other local charities
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Feb. 19, 2013 – Dana Point resident and businesswoman, Diane Smith has been a long-time supporter of Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence. Every winter, for the past 15 years, she has hosted a one-day “Clothes Exchange Party” at her home to benefit local charities, including Laura’s House.
For Diane, the “Clothes Exchange Party” has always been a “win, win, win” situation. “Not only do Laura’s House and the other charities we support benefit from the donations, my friends and neighbors reap the rewards of their generosity in numerous ways,” said Smith. “They get motivated to clean out their closets, they come home after the exchange with new items that they didn’t have to pay for, and they get the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping others.”
This year, the “Clothes Exchange Party” took place at Diane’s home in Dana Point on Sunday, February 10, 2013. More than 75 women joined in for an afternoon of shopping, fun, fellowship and networking, sponsored by Diane’s interior design firm, Resort Living Interiors. For the first time this year, Diane added a networking component. “This event is already about women helping other women, and providing the opportunity for my friends and neighbors to help local business women network and grow their businesses, seemed like a natural extension of our efforts to help the broader community,” said Smith
Following the “Clothes Exchange Party,” more than 2,000 pieces of clothing, shoes and accessories were collected for Laura’s House. Donated items will be given to the women and children served by the Laura’s House shelter. Additionally, donations will be used by the Laura’s House Resale Store in Lake Forest, which sells gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, books, collectibles and artwork to generate income to support the programs and services offered by Laura’s House.
“We would like to thank Diane for using her annual ‘Clothes Exchange Party’ as a way to support Laura’s House and other local nonprofit organizations,” said Paolo Scarfo, General Manager, Laura’s House Resale Store. “This event is just one of the many creative ways that members of the local community can help us to raise money and build awareness for the programs and services we provide to individuals and families that are effected by domestic violence.”
About the Laura’s House Resale Store
Since 1995, Laura’s House has maintained a thrift store to support the funding of our programs and services. The Laura’s House Resale Store is located at 23635 El Toro Road, Suite F in Lake Forest, and is open on Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and, Sunday from Noon to 5:00 p.m.
The Laura’s House Resale Store accepts donations including gently used designer, formal, business and casual clothing and shoes for women, children and men, jewelry, paintings, collectibles and books. Donors should be aware that Laura’s House cannot accept items that are torn or stained, large furniture and appliances, mattresses, box springs and undergarments, and that city law prohibits leaving items at the rear or front of the store outside of normal business hours. All donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided upon drop-off. Donation drop-off hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Laura’s House Resale Store can be reached by phone at 949-472-8800.
About Laura’s House
Over the past eighteen years, Laura’s House has provided shelter and support services to nearly 3,500 battered women and children, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
# # #