FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

7 November 2019

CONTACT: Annie Knight
Marketing and Development Lead
519-400-4852
annieknight@clgw.ca

Local boutique raises funds for charities

GUELPH, Ontario – One local charity is $590.58 richer, thanks to Yolanda’s Fashion Boutique’s ‘It takes a village…’ campaign.

Community Living Guelph Wellington was the first benefactor of a month to month fundraising and awareness campaign, hosted by the local fashion boutique.

“For a charity trying to share our message, and share how vital the work we do is, this was a big opportunity for us,” shares Laura Hanley, Executive Director for CLGW.

“And when a community member approaches us, and says I want to help, we’re tremendously grateful. Those funds help us innovate, and do more for the people we support.”

Throughout the month of October, Yolanda’s Fashion Boutique promoted the services and mission of Community Living, while collecting a percentage of all sales to be donated back to the charity at the end of the month.

But for Community Living Guelph Wellington, Yolanda Vanleeuwen, owner of the boutique, is more than just a promoter and donor.

In July of this year, CLGW received a note from a mother connected with the organization. She had reached out to Yolanda about how challenging shopping can be for someone with special needs. It so happened the daughter had a wedding to attend, and hadn’t found an outfit that was fashionable and functional. To help, Yolanda opened the boutique after hours and consulted on ideas for her outfit.

“The kindness and exceptional services shown to an adult with a disability, by Yolanda, is just a small example of how much she cares about our community as a whole,” says Hanley. “She’s a role model to our community.”

Yolanda and her fashion boutique have more charities they want to help. In November, the boutique is raising awareness and funds for the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington.

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Community Living Guelph Wellington is a not-for-profit organization that supports more than 500 adults with a developmental disability living in Guelph and Wellington County. We believe in community first. We help people with developmental disabilities connect to community for work and volunteering, places to live and recreation.