HFG Happy Families Support Network Inc. (HFG) would like to thank everyone who donated to our charity’s Toronto Clothing Exchange, as well as express our gratitude for our Volunteers who helped to make this event a success. The discretion of everyone who took part is likewise ever appreciated, as we tirelessly endeavour to respect the privacy of those utilizing our services. These such events occur at confidential, undisclosed locations because we want to protect the identities of abuse survivors, and to provide them with a stress-free environment overall. We live in a digital age, which many charities can take advantage of with regards to self-promotion but HFG does a lot of its good work in the digital darkness – so, once again, thank you for respecting the privacy of those we support. This, in itself, is proof that light can be borne from the shadows.
Our clothing exchanges provide women and children affected by domestic violence with new and gently used attire, as well as kids toys and some miscellaneous home items, completely free of charge. In a world where we have learned to take material objects for granted, these donations are part and parcel in helping survivors of abuse rebuild their lives with the dignity they deserve. These costless shopping sprees are not haphazard undertakings, as HFG organizes these events with the same care and consideration as a vintage fashion crawl: items are sorted by hand to ensure durability and cleanliness before they are hung or placed in their appropriate sections. This year’s GTA event saw a particular abundance of donated baby clothes, so take heed for those using our services in the Durham region as our second clothing exchange, taking place in your area this autumn, will definitely be a terrific opportunity to snag some new and preloved finds for infants and toddlers alike.
The Durham exchange will also be another wonderful opportunity for those seeking to gain volunteer hours and/or experience, so please do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you’re interested in taking part. Toronto’s clothing exchange saw an abundance of volunteer activity: buzzing like bees before, during, and after the event. What is always wonderful to witness, is the various walks of life that those volunteering at our events have come from – charitable giving, be it by donation of material things or simply by donation of your time, is not the dominion of any specific gender, generation, creed, or economic status. For those volunteering, HFG is an inclusive and welcoming environment as well; built on the foundation of our not-for-profit’s values: equality, advocacy, integrity, nurturing, accountability, collaboration, and education. We emphatically give thanks to our volunteers and we were glad to see all of their smiling faces at our last Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
What can you expect at our clothing exchanges, be it as an attendee or volunteer? A welcoming environment, a lot of support, and a mountain of clothing options. Fashion finds included work wear (particularly helpful for those re-entering the workforce), summer dresses, cute sweaters, unique accessories, and more! This year’s Toronto event also saw the implementation of kids’ stations, one officially set up while another impromptu one developed behind our check-in desk (because that’s where the cool toys were), so that mothers could browse our clothing racks with a little extra focus and peace of mind knowing that their kids were safe and engaged under the supervision of our volunteers. Leonie Segall, HFG’s founder, also provided catering with snacks, available to all, throughout the day in question. Her “Granny Lee’s Kitchen” pancakes were especially appreciated, and devoured, by volunteers that morning. Overall, these particular events are not just clothing exchanges but rather an exchange of love, kindness, and humour. We thank you all for your invaluable contributions. Together we will continue to bring light into one another’s lives.
Details On Our Next Exchange:
