Athleta a newly opened women’s fitness apparel store on Greenwich Ave collaborated with the local non-profit Mothers for Others on a fundraiser on Tuesday. Out on the sidewalk, a group of students oversaw a bake sale, while in the store Athleta donated 5% of proceeds to the non-profit.
Athleta, located at 350 Greenwich Ave, opened on Monday, May 21 in the spot formerly occupied by Wishlist.
Founded by Karen Giannuzzi in 2011, Mothers for Others, with their diaper-themed logo, is run by a group Greenwich moms who specialize in collecting gently used baby gear, including strollers, high chairs and new car seats for families. They also raise funds to run a diaper bank.
At Athleta on Tuesday, Cathy de Graaff, president of Mothers for Others, and JoAnn Davey who is a member of the organization’s board, explained the group’s mission.
“We recently had a shift toward focusing on younger children up to age four,” said de Graaff. “We’re shifting to diapers, which is a financial strain for many families.”
“We buy new car seats with money from fundraisers and give them to families in the Greenwich and Stamford area who are in need,” Davey said.
“We work with groups including Family Centers, Greenwich Social Services, Kids in Crisis and YWCA Domestic Abuse Services,” said de Graaff, who mentioned that the group is eager to hear from new volunteers. “We’re also looking for people who want to get involved in the community,” she said.
The email for those interested in joining the group’s effort is [email protected].
Click here for a list of items accepted and not accepted by Mothers for Others. The group has an office on the second floor of Second Congregational Church on Putnam Ave, where volunteers schedule times for families to stop by to collect items. Clients must have a referral. The appointments are scheduled for Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00am til 12:00pm.
And while the non-profit is looking for more adults to join their ranks, there is also club at Greenwich High School that is affiliated with Mothers for Others.
Anyone interested in joining the club should reach out to Greg Goldstein at [email protected]
Athleta is located at 350 Greenwich Ave. Tel. (203) 625-0129
See also: What’s In, What’s Out on Greenwich Avenue
The crew from Mothers for Others outside Athleta on Greenewich Ave on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager
A group of local boys volunteering for Mothers for Others sold baked goods outside Athletica on Tuesday. Athletica donated 5% of sales to the non-profit. Credit: Leslie Yager
At the Mothers for Others bakesale outside Athletica JoAnn Davey and her son Paul, a 7th grader at GCDS, May 31, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager
Mothers for Others volunteers outside Athletica, Hayden Collins, Beau Getz and Nolan Morriss, all students at GCDS. May 31, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager
Bake sale outside Athletica to raise funds for Mothers for Others, May 31, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager
Hayden Collins, Nolan Morris, Beau Getz, JoAnn Davey, Cathy deGraaff and Greg Goldstein, who is set to lead the Mothers for Others Club at Greenwich High School in the fall. Credit: Leslie Yager
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