- April 24, 2024
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Patchington's clothes drives will benefit emergency domestic abuse shelters, as well as the Make a Wish Foundation.
BY WAYNE GRANT | STAFF WRITER
Ellen Bizzozzaro, manager of Patchington, a women’s clothes store in The Trails, is currently busy helping a cause that she calls very prevalent, yet little discussed.
The subject is spousal abuse.
“It’s a serious problem and people don’t talk about it,” Bizzozzaro said. She said that she's personally been a victim as of abuse, as well as several of her customers.
That's why, Oct. 22-28, Bizzozzaro is inviting women to drop of “gently used” clothing at her shop to be delivered to Family Life Center, a domestic violence center and emergency shelter in Flagler County.
In exchange for the donation, the person will receive a discount for a purchase. For a purchase under $65, they get $10 off; for items $66 to $99, they get $15 off; for items $100 to $119, they get $20 off; and for items more than $120, they get $25 off.
If a person drops off a personal care item, like shampoo or toiletries, they get 10% off an accessory. One way to donate, she said, is to pick up these items at a discount store.
But not everyone asks for something in return, Bizzozzaro said. Some ladies just drop off clothes to help out, and often, she added, these are women who have used an emergency shelter in the past and know how badly clothes are needed there.
“These women and children sometimes leave with nothing but the clothes on their back,” she said. “Sometimes they leave home in the middle of the night to go to a safe house.”
The shelter provides clothes and personal items so that children can go to school and families can start over, she said.
Patchington is a chain store and Bizzozzaro said the corporate office encourages the individual stores to get involved in a charity of their choice. She also has agreed to donate clothes to be modeled in a fashion show at an upcoming Make a Wish fundraiser.
Make a Wish gets stylish
As the holiday season approaches, a Make a Wish Holiday Fashion Show is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at the Daytona Beach Resort, 2700 N. Atlantic Ave., in Daytona Beach.
Volunteers will model clothes from Patchington. Lunch will also be served and there will be a raffle for prizes. Proceeds benefit Make a Wish of Northern and Central Florida.
Kathy Smith, one of the organizers, called the event a great opportunity for local women to see the latest holiday fashions.
“They can get ideas for what to wear this season,” she said.
Smith expects it to be a great success because it’s over the noon hour and working women can come.
“It’s a great way to get out for a nice lunch and also help Make a Wish,” she said.
The money raised will benefit a family in Volusia County. Smith was not certain yet if the family or child will be able to attend the luncheon but she said a representative of Make a Wish will be there and will be able to discuss the specifics of where the donations will go.
Bizzozzaro said she gets asked quite often to provide clothes for fashion shows.
“We’re up-to-date, sophisticated and trendy,” she said. “We consider ourselves fashionistas.”
Tickets cost $35 if ordered in advance or $45 at the door. Call 859-801-7185.
