How does wearing the same black dress for a week help others in the community overcome trying times? It’s one of two signature fundraising events the Junior League of Greenville hosts every year to support local agencies that target economic mobility and human trafficking.
During November’s Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI), members not only wore the same black dress all week, they sported buttons that read “Ask Me About My Dress,” said Claire Stam, business manager for the events. Shop for Greenville is the Junior League’s second fundraising event.
“When people see you wearing the same thing all week to work, the grocery store, the carpool line – it’s a conversation starter,” she said, noting that it symbolizes the restrictions poverty places on opportunities. “People really do not have a great understanding about how prevalent human trafficking is in our community. And Greenville County is one of the hardest places for people to climb out of poverty.”
Members also promote the event via their social media and email networks to raise funds, Stam said. This year, LDBI raised more than $42,000.
“We hope this campaign will inspire other women to become a Junior League member and support our efforts to help women in our community overcome barriers related to human trafficking and economic mobility,” said.
Shop for Greenville Goes Digital
Shop for Greenville, meanwhile, is a two-week event during which businesses in the region offer discounts ranging from 20 percent off at a retail shop to free dessert at a restaurant, said Teel Jarvis, Shop for Greenville chair.
Discount cards for the event, which runs from Feb. 25 to March 13, 2022, are available from the League for $40, she said. About 150 businesses from Travelers Rest to Fountain Inn participated last year.
“We’re hoping to raise over $20,000,” Jarvis said. “Last year (2021), we raised $18,000.”
Previously, the group sold discount books, she said, but this year the event is going digital to eliminate paper waste and make it easier for participants to see which businesses are involved by category or location and the discounts they are offering, she said.
“It’s more user-friendly,” she said. “You can just pull it up on your phone.”
Going digital also allows for an interactive map so if you want a cup of coffee, you can see if there’s a participating shop near you, she said. “And it’s not just boutiques. It’s home services. There’s a little something for everyone.”
Active Junior League members purchase the cards, often for family and friends, Jarvis said. And the public can purchase by visiting www.shopforgreenville.org.
Shop For Greenville Sponsorships
The Junior League has five sponsorship levels for businesses ranging from $50 to $1,000, according to Laura Riddle, Fund Development vice president. They can sponsor in exchange for recognition on the group’s website, social media, newsletter and other opportunities, she said.
The Junior League has redesigned the format so it’s easier for potential sponsors to navigate. “It has more of our offerings at a glance,” she said. “You can see exactly what you’re going to get for donations.”
Donations
The Junior League also accepts donations of products and services, such as gourmet foods or a spa day, for baskets that are raffled off to raise extra funds, Jarvis said.
Proceeds support the Junior League’s programs and services, including those provided to Jasmine Road, the Julie Valentine Center, The Family Effect, Pendleton Place, SWITCH and United Ministries.
To learn more, go to https://www.jlgreenville.org/support/little-black-dress-initiative/ and shopforgreenville.org.
