Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Get a bargain and support a child
‘‘For us, it’s massive, because we’re always helping children in Marlborough.’’
Ladies, what if you could fill your wardrobe with ‘new’ used items of clothing for just $1 a piece, enjoy a free drink and a slice while you shop, and know that your shopping is supporting a charity that offers counselling to children?
Sound too good to be true?
It’s time for the annual ‘She Shops’ event, a collaboration between ladies from the various churches in Blenheim.
The first She Shops event was held five years ago and proved a huge success, with ladies lining up to grab a bargain.
Ladies pay a $2 entry to the event, which includes refreshments, and can browse through an assortment of donated clothing, paying $1 per item they choose.
Proceeds from the event are donated to a charity, with Women’s Refuge, Pink Packets, and the Migrants Centre benefiting.
In the past, the event has been able to donate in excess of $1000 to a charity, Elim Christian Centre pastor Suzanne Hatch said. This year, proceeds will go to Supporting Families for child counselling.
‘‘For us, it’s massive, because we’re always helping children in Marlborough,’’ Supporting Families spokesperson Karina Healy said.
‘‘It’s a huge help. There are so many children that need counselling and there’s no money out there,’’ she said.
At least 20 children could be supported to receive counselling with this donation, Healy said.
This is one of three events held annually by She Connects, a combined church programme in operation since 2016.
Historically, a biennial conference known as ‘Women of Influence’ was held locally, but feedback to the organisers revealed that it was not financially viable for many women who would have liked to attend.
‘‘After the third conference, we met, regrouped and decided we’d like to do something more often that would be more affordable for people,’’ Hatch said.
‘‘We changed our name to ‘She Connects’, and now do three smaller events per annum, rather than the big conference.’’
For this community event, Marlborough women are being asked to clear out their closets and donate any pre-loved items.
Clothes, shoes, jewellery, scarves and any other accessories in good condition are all welcome.
These can be dropped at the Elim Centre in Burleigh Rd from Monday, June 14 to Thursday June 17, between 8.30am and 5pm.
The items will be sorted and put on display for ladies to purchase on Saturday, June 19 from 2pm to 4pm. Any items not purchased will be donated to charity.
‘‘One of the best parts for me is just seeing the joy on people’s faces when they come out with a bag full of bargains,’’ Hatch said.
‘‘One year we had this lady go out with two bags stuffed full, and I said, ‘see you later, thanks for coming’. She replied ‘oh, I’m not leaving, I’m coming back – I’m just putting these in the car’.’’
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