ANCHORED IN SUCCESS

New clothing business raising money for mental health

Raising money for mental health through new clothing line.

When Patricia McDougall invested her last $800 into her new Anchored in the East clothing line she didn’t expect it to take off like it has.

But the 52-year-old New Waterford native is happy it has because more sales means her company can donate more money to mental health services in Cape Breton.

Between $3 and $5, depending on the item sold, will be donated. For example, a zip-up hoodie may result in a $5 donation while a toque may lead to a $3 donation.

McDougall, who has been living in Western Canada for a number of years, said the donations result from what she sees in her community and what she reads regarding mental health and addictions in Cape Breton.

“I’ve seen it in my own back yard … And the mental illness part of it affects us all. There are people my age, middle age and older, that suffer in silence and I know that,” she said.

“It’s just becoming too common … They talk about it and they have meetings and nothing seems to get done.”

On Oct. 31 she placed an order with the manufacturer for 32 sweatshirts and within a week

they were sold-out. She ordered another 43 items and 41 have sold.

In the past week McDougall has received another 10-12 orders and requests to expand to winter hats (toques) and Tshirts, which will be available at her booth at the Mayflower Mall for Black Friday sales.

“The support has been amazing. Everybody seems to be getting on board,” she said. “I really didn’t expect it to take off like it did.”

McDougall isn’t sure how she’s

going to donate the money she is putting aside from each sale because she didn’t expect things to happen so fast. However, she has started researching and is making a short list of possible organizations to support, such as Hope Project recovery home for women.

“Because I am still brand new, I am going through the proper channels, doing my research, figuring things out,” said McDougall.

“I’m not sure where this will go but I am exploring all options

and I’ve got hope, I’ve got a smile on my face and hope in my heart.”

NIKKI SULLIVAN/CAPE BRETON POST Patricia McDougall, owner of Anchored in the East, holds a sweatshirt from the clothing line. The New Waterford native launched the business on Oct. 31 and plans to donate a portion of each sale to a mental health initiative.

CONTRIBUTED/LEANNE CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY Tony Nemis models an Anchored in the East sweatshirt designed by New Waterford native Patricia McDougall.