Shop for the Shelter
What a great time we had during Shop for The Shelter, Dec. 7, hosted by Options Thrift Shoppe and Ronto Realty at Naples Square. Options ‘elves’ transformed the Naples Square Sales Gallery into a holiday boutique of brand new high-end designer wear donated by local department stores. Early estimates of this holiday shopping social topped $7,000, all of which will benefit The Shelter for Abused Women & Children.
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Thank you to the Naples Daily News for covering this wonderful event
By Kalhan Rosenblatt
NAPLES, Fla. – Rickie Klein knew there was one thing she wanted for the holidays this year: a party.
But not just any party — a party with a purpose. Klein, who is a guild member of the Shelter for Abused Women & Children and an Options Thrift Shoppe ambassador committee chair, teamed up with Naples Square Sales Gallery for the first ever “Light Up Your Holidays” benefit on Sunday.
“It was kind of spontaneous,” Klein said. “I saw the space and said it would make a fabulous venue for a party and (The Shelter for Abused Women & Children) is a fabulous organization.”
For $20, attendees could shop for new, high-end clothing and jewelry, snack on finger food, sip Champagne and socialize at the Naples Square Sales Gallery, all while helping The Shelter for Abused Women & Children and Options Thrift Shoppe, which is owned by the shelter.
“It was so close to the shelter, it just made perfect sense,” said Wanda Cross, director of sales for Naples Square.
All 150 tickets had sold out by Sunday afternoon, and the floor was packed with eager shoppers hoping to make a difference.
Brand new necklaces, hats, shoes and dresses from designers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Jimmy Choo lined the halls of Naples Square.
“(The best part) is knowing we’re raising money for the shelter,” shelter Executive Director Linda Oberhaus said. “Our goal is to one day put ourselves out of business and end domestic violence.”
Many attendees, as well as volunteers, knew someone the shelter had helped.
“My husband works as a physician and he would see cases (of domestic violence),” said shelter volunteer and shopper Joanne Beightol. “We know people who have struggled with domestic abuse.”
Beightol, who brought her 16-year-old daughter Caera along, said she came out to the “Light Up Your Holidays” benefit to “put her money where her mouth is.”
“I like the fact that you’re buying clothes for your self but you’re helping women and children at the same time,” Caera said.
By 3 p.m. — the halfway mark of the two-hour affair — $5,000 had been raised, exceeding the original $4,000 goal. Klein said 100 percent of the money received from ticket sales would go directly to the shelter.
“We’re already planning on doing this again next year,” said Contract Data Administrator for Naples Square, Amy Schiffer. “We want to do tie-ins for other nonprofits. We’re excited about giving back.”
Carole Beauregard of Naples perused the clothing racks at “Light Up Your Holidays.” As a member of the guild, she said she convinced her girlfriends to come to the event. She also persuaded friend Ulrich Elben to donate his book, “Naples the Beautiful,” which was sold for $10 a piece.
“Every nickel counts for the shelter,” Beauregard said.
Klein said she drove Kaydee Tuff, communications manager for the shelter, “bonkers” putting on “Light Up Your Holidays,” but Tuff was grateful for her persistence.
“(Klein) definitely deserves all the credit,” Tuff said. “If it wasn’t for her, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
For Klein, knowing she’s able to be festive while giving back made the whole process worthwhile.
“You can feel the joy and happiness in the room,” Klein said. “You can feel the energy of women helping women.”
