A Time for Giving: Why I Donate to the Local YWCA Holiday Market

When I contacted the local YWCA Women's Shelter donation coordinator this year she shared with me that two teens were living at the shelter currently, that they were really trying to fit in and she was very sad that there were no cute clothes there for them. This comment brought me right to the heart of why I take a portion of proceeds from my sales for one week in December to purchase goods to contribute to the Holiday Market for residents. I remember being that young girl who wanted so desperately to be safe in my home while simultaneously wanting to fit in. 

When I was taken to a county facility after being removed from my unsafe home I remember very specifically the closet of clothing that I was allowed to look through, as of course I literally only had with me the clothing I wore that day to middle school.  Everything was outdated and just plain ugly. As an adult I can understand that people choose to donate clothing items out of a pure desire to help but unless you experience this feeling first hand I believe it is hard to understand the impact this has on people that are displaced. On the one hand I remember feeling relief. I was now going to be protected from the harm I had been enduring. But along with that sense of relief comes many more unknowns and feelings of not belonging in the world. It's almost like in that moment you wish the kindness of strangers came with a deeper understanding that having nice pretty things can make a huge impact on someone in these circumstances. 

Every year the YWCA Women's Shelter in Dayton hosts a Holiday Market for shelter residents. The market consists of items donated by the community that are brand spanking new. The residents can then go to the market and pick out items for themselves and their families to wrap up and gift for the holiday. One unique thing about this donation is that rather than sending a sum of money to the organization the items go directly to the residents. 

The first year I donated items I was invited to see the market set-up by the coordinator. This gave me a really good sense of how to manage this donation in the future. There were two rooms filled with donations. It was overwhelming really to see how much the community had pulled together to provide all of the gifts for the market. However, as much as I know the intentions were pure it was clear that most of the items were bottom shelf items. Cheap inexpensive items that in reality most people would not have purchased for themselves. Thinking back to my own experience it really hit me that I had to set the intention to approach this donation differently. It was like that 13 year old girl in me crept up from deep inside and said, "You can do better by these women and their families!"

Since that first year I have been able to connect with the donation coordinator before shopping for the market to find out what holes they have in their items so that I can be specific about the items I choose. I am often able to make the purchases at other local shops which helps keep that money in our community. I have gifted beautiful dishes, cast iron skillets, handmade kitchen towels, body and hair care products, winter coats, educational toys, instant pots, lovely handmade soaps and bath bombs, art supplies, and sculpted beeswax candles. 

I truly understand that money and things can't buy happiness but having nice, pretty things can add some enjoyment to your life and in the right moments they honestly can bring joy. I can only do this because of your support through the years. Your support of my small shop allows me to follow my hearts desire to give back to women and their families who are at most likely the lowest point of their lives. I earnestly believe that the items I select to give with the money that you spend at my shop helps make those moments of uncertainty just a little softer and easier to face. 

Thanks for being here and thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my efforts to improve the lives of others.