Laura’s House 2nd Annual “Back-to-School” Drive
Posted on July 29, 2011
Laura’s House collecting clothing, school supplies and gift cards for families affected by domestic violence during its 2nd Annual “Back-to-School” Drive
Gently-used clothing, shoes, backpacks, school supplies and gift cards for children and adults can be dropped off at locations in Ladera Ranch, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and San Clemente; shoppers can also visit Portobello Road for great deals on back-to-school items
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Aug. 1, 2011 – For most families, the “back-to-school” shopping season means a fun-filled trip to the mall to purchase clothing and other supplies for the coming school year. However, for the women and children who arrive at domestic violence shelters, often with nothing but the clothing on their backs, going back-to-school can be stressful.
This year, Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence, while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, is hoping to alleviate some of that stress by asking for the community’s help in collecting gently-used clothing, shoes, backpacks, gift cards and other back-to-school items for residents of its shelter and their children, during its 2nd Annual “Back-to-School” drive.
“It is so important to a child’s self-esteem to be able to return to school each Fall with a new wardrobe,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “For families who are in transition and building new lives free of domestic violence, finding the resources they need to purchase clothing and other school essentials can place added stress on both the children and parents. Laura’s House already provides food, clothing and other necessities to the families who enter our shelter, and this year, we plan to help ease the ‘back-to-school’ transition by providing clothing and other much needed items so that they can make a fresh start this academic year.”
Laura’s House will be accepting new and gently used clothing, shoes, gift cards and other back-to-school essentials at the following locations from August 1, 2011 through September 15, 2011. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
Ladera Ranch Infusion 25612 Crown Valley Parkway Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Lake Forest Portobello Road 23635 El Toro Rd., Ste. A Lake Forest, CA 92630
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm; Saturday, 10am to 2pm
Mission Viejo YogaWorks 27001 La Paz Road #206 Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8am to 9pm; Friday, 8am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 6pm
Rancho Santa Margarita OC Martial Arts 29818 Santa Margarita Parkway Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 4pm to 9pm; Saturday, 7am to 1pm
San Clemente Body Awareness 1031 Avenida Pico San Clemente, CA 92673
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm
Additionally, from Friday, August 19 through Sunday, August 29, the Laura’s House Ladies’ Guild will be accepting donations at Toy Town, located at 25632 Crown Valley Parkway, #B5 in Mission Viejo. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and, Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“In addition to clothing, shoes and other school essentials, we are also stressing the need for gift cards, which help our clients retain their dignity by allowing them to choose and purchase the items that their children will need most as they return to school this Fall,” continued Bayston.
Items donated as part of the “back-to-school” clothing drive may also be sold by the Portobello Road Resale Boutique, with proceeds being used to support the shelter and counseling programs provided by Laura’s House. “Portobello Road offers some great deals for back-to-school shoppers who are looking for high-quality clothing, shoes and other items, for a great price,” said Paolo Scarfo. “We encourage shoppers to check out our selection knowing that their purchases will be helping to fund vital programs and services for victims of domestic violence.”
More information on the back-to-school clothing drive can be found at www.laurashouse.org/events or by calling (949) 361-3775.
About Portobello Road Since 1995, Laura’s House has maintained a thrift store to support the funding of our programs and services. In 2009, the store moved from San Clemente to Lake Forest and opened Portobello Road, a larger, more centrally located upscale, resale boutique. Portobello Road 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.
Portobello Road accepts donations including gently used designer, formal, business and casual clothing and shoes for women, children and men, jewelry, housewares, books, linens and collectibles. 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.
Portobello Road can be reached by phone at 949-472-8800.
About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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.
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Download Laura's House Back to School Supplies Wish List here. Download Laura's House Back to School Flyer with locations and information here.