Annual Dana Point “Clothes Exchange Party” Benefits Laura’s House
Since 1998, friends and neighbors of Diane Smith have exchanged clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories to benefit Laura’s House and other local charities
For 16 years, Dana Point resident and businesswoman, Diane Smith has been hosting a one-day “Clothes Exchange Party” at her home to benefit local charities, including Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
For Diane, the “Clothes Exchange Party” has always been a “win, win, win” situation. “Each winter, my friends and neighbors look forward to having the opportunity to clean out their closets, and then come home after the exchange with new items that they didn’t have to pay for,” said Smith. “The best part is that they get the satisfaction of knowing that this annual ritual is helping local charities, like Laura’s House, provide much needed programs and services to those in need.”
This year, the “Clothes Exchange Party” took place at Diane’s home in Dana Point on Sunday, February 23. More than 50 women joined in for an afternoon of shopping, fun, fellowship and networking, sponsored by Diane’s interior design firm, Resort Living Interiors. “I love the fact that in addition to helping local charities, I am also providing an opportunity for my friends and neighbors to help local business women network and grow their businesses, through the annual 'Clothes Exchange Party’,” said Smith.
Find out what's happening in Laguna Niguel-Dana Pointwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Following the “Clothes Exchange Party,” more than 2,000 pieces of clothing, shoes and accessories were collected for Laura’s House. Donated items will be given to the women and children served by the Laura’s House shelter. Additionally, donations will be used by the Laura’s House Resale Store in Lake Forest, which sells gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, books, collectibles and artwork to generate income to support the programs and services offered by Laura’s House.
“We are grateful to Diane for her steadfast support, and each year look forward to the amazing donations that come from the ‘Clothes Exchange Party’,” said Rhonda Smith, General Manager, Laura’s House Resale Store. “This event is just one of the many ways that members of our local community are engaging with Laura’s House and helping us ‘end the silence’ of domestic violence.”
