Zonta Club fashions fundraising success with Unique Boutique
Zonta Club fashions fundraising success
Photo by Doug Loyer Dee Reynolds and Marietta Filabaum, both of Reno, check out a table of shoes at the Zonta Club Unique Boutique on Saturday in Reno.
Photo by Doug Loyer Becky Bowles, of Marietta, looks over a rack of clothing at the Zonta Club Unique Boutique.
Photo by Doug Loyer Dee Reynolds and Marietta Filabaum, both of Reno, check out a table of shoes at the Zonta Club Unique Boutique on Saturday in Reno.
Photo by Doug Loyer Becky Bowles, of Marietta, looks over a rack of clothing at the Zonta Club Unique Boutique.
Trending
RENO -- Sticking another feather in it's hat this weekend was the Zonta Club of the Mid-Ohio Valley as the club held its Annual Unique Boutique.
The event on Friday and Saturday offered quality used clothing for men, women and children as a fundraiser to support the club's service projects.
Always with a large selection of clothing for bargain hunters to choose from, the boutique has been held for decades. This year's event was held at the Marietta Township Building in Reno. All clothing was reasonably priced with everything under $10. The boutique is just one example of the local Zonta Club working to making a difference.
The Zonta Club of the Mid-Ohio Valley was started in 1959 and is a member of Zonta International, now in its 100th year. The motto is "Empowering Women Through Service & Advocacy." Zonta is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls on a local, national and international level. Zonta continues to advocate against domestic abuse and human trafficking.
"All the donations come from the community," said Christina Lisk, Board Member and Co-Chair of the Unique Boutique event. "We collect clothing throughout the year, but mainly the week before the sale."
Lisk said they don't know how the original organizers came up with the idea for the Unique Boutique but it has been a great fundraising project for them. The community has always supported them each year with clothing donations and by attending the sale and buying items. She said people like to give clothing to a cause that gives back to the community.
"It feels good to help make a difference," said Lisk. "We actually helped a woman last night who lost everything because of Hurricane Michael and has moved back to this area where she came from and is trying to get back on her feet. We fixed her up with some clothes so she can go for a job interview."
"This is our largest fundraiser of the year and it has grown over the years," said Desni Crock, Zonta Club President. "This year's boutique is one of our biggest in size."
The funds help with service projects. One of their many projects is scholarships for women who are non-traditional, returning to school to get a new job or returning after being a housewife for a while and raising a family. Crock said they raise money locally and try to keep most of it here. They also give internationally which helps awareness of human trafficking and other serious issues.
"We have 19 members in our Zonta Club. They are entrepreneurs, in banking, retirees, teachers … a mixture of women of different backgrounds," said Crock. "There are not many of us, but we are trying to make the biggest impact that we can. We can always use new blood because there is always work we want to do. We want to get as many new members as we can."
Shoppers enjoyed checking out the selection and getting quality clothes at great prices.
"This is my first time coming to this," said Andrea Waters of Belpre. "I think that this is a nice event that they are doing for the community. It's great for anyone willing to come out and find a bargain."
"I think this is awesome," said Denise Murphy of Marietta. "I'm getting some good deals and it helps out the Zonta club and the community."
"I come every year and I have donated to this for years," said Marietta Filabaum of Reno. "I love Zonta, they do great things. I'm glad to support them."
Filabaum's friend Dee Reynolds said they really like that it's in Reno close to where they live.
Becky Bowles, of Marietta, had similar thoughts as she found some items that she wanted to purchase. She was glad to help support the Zonta Club because of all the worthwhile work that they do.
Future Zonta Club events include their Red Sand Project on the Friday before the Christmas Parade to raise awareness to those who fall through the cracks in society. Their Mardi-Bra Competition and Luncheon will on March 1-2 and the Spring Clothing Sale will be on April 5-6.
To become a member or for more Zonta Club events and information, visit ZontaMOV.org. For information to stop human trafficking, visit polarisproject.org or call 888-373-7888.