May 12, 2009 The Clothes Exchange raised a record $55,000 for Vermont Works for Women at this year’s event held Thursday at Burlington’s Main
Street Landing, Union Station, said founder Leslie Halperin of Burlington. About 550 women attended. The average sale was $110, up from $60 from last year. The biggest spender (best shopper) dropped $546. “It really felt like everyone left with something they loved,” Halperin said. “It was an amazing night. We are going to have a hard time outdoing ourselves next year.” Halperin began the Clothing Exchange in 2001 as an event that sells women’s donated, lightly used designer duds to benefit a local charity. This year’s beneficiary, Vermont Works for Women, helps women and girls explore, pursue and excel in nontraditional careers that pay a livable wage. Much of the leftover merchandise was donated to charities including Vermont Refugee Resettlement, SCHIPS, Ohavi Zedek Thrift Shop and The Goodwill.
Plans for a Burlington Kids Clothes Exchange are in the works for the fall, Halperin said.