WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Shopping event to support Burlington non-profit

Shopping event to support Burlington non-profit

Burlington, Vermont - May 17, 2010

Clothing for a cause goes on sale this Thursday in South Burlington.

Volunteers for The Clothes Exchange spent Monday morning sorting and pricing donations. Their pile included both brand-new and gently-used women's garments, and new kids' clothes.

This is the 9th year for the shopping event that raises money for area non-profits. It's been so popular, the sale has outgrown Union Station in Burlington and is moving to the Doubletree Hotel in South Burlington.

This year, The Clothes Exchange is supporting the King Street Center in Burlington. The Center is growing its summer and after-school programs for adolescent girls. "We have to really move forward with these small group endeavors in order to show [girls] the promise and potential they all possess," explains Vicky Smith, executive director of the King Street Youth Center.

"We've never turned people away," says Leslie Halperin, the founder of the charity shopping event. "But we think perhaps our lines have been a deterrent to people coming to shop. We're hopeful this year, with our new space, the lines are going to move a lot more quickly and we're going to be able to get a lot more people in the door."

More than 30 area stores donated brand-new garments from size 0 to 16 for women and children. Gently-used clothes donated by area women are also for sale. All age groups are represented, volunteers say.

Organizers say their top sellers are designer jeans. This year, several dresses by the famous designer Marc Jacobs are also for sale. Vermont companies Isis and Zutano donated jackets and colorful kids' clothes, and Halperin was excited to find a valuable vintage Valentino coat was donated for the sale.

The Clothes Exchange hopes to beat last year's fundraising total of nearly $60,000. The shopping event is this Thursday night, May 20, at 6:30 at the Doubletree on Williston Road. Admission is $10 at the door, or $8 if you buy a ticket online in advance.

Click here for more information on The Clothes Exchange.

Click here to visit the website of the King Street Youth Center.

Jack Thurston - WCAX News