ST. GEORGE — The small sign atop the front jewelry case in Annie’s Vintage Garden shop, 3 N. Main St. in St. George, doesn’t lie: buying a bracelet from the case supports victims of domestic violence. That’s because shop owner Annie Whitney has invited the Dove Center, a local not-for-profit organization, to use the case to raise awareness and a few extra bucks. Jewelry sales help fund the services Dove Center provides to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
The Dove Center has been selling previously-loved jewelry through its “Reclaim the Beauty” campaign since 2011. The campaign collects donated jewelry and resells it, showing that worn and discarded items can be reclaimed and loved again – a metaphor that mirrors the experience of many Dove Center clients.
Collecting, sorting and tagging jewelry is a time-consuming process. When Whitney offered to donate jewelry tags and her own staff’s time to help Dove Center price and merchandise its jewelry, Dove Center staffers embraced her offer.
“Jewelry tags may seem like an inconsequential donation,” said Adele Pincock, outreach and development director for Dove Center, “but this is one example of a creative way a local business can partner with Dove to benefit survivors.”
In-kind donations from businesses help free up Dove Center staff and volunteer time and money for other efforts. In this case, Dove Center used the money saved on tags to create awareness bookmarks, which inform Vintage Garden customers about Dove Center services.
Donations are not the only way to support the Dove Center’s mission. Whitney also decided to dedicate an entire storefront window to domestic violence awareness in October.
“I believe everyone knows someone who is a victim of domestic violence,” Whitney said, explaining her motivation.
The storefront display will encourage customers to look for and recognize the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships. It will also emphasize the impact domestic violence has on communities, businesses, churches and families. The deep purple display, a color dedicated to domestic violence awareness, among other things, will start Oct. 1.
Keep your eyes out for Dove Center volunteers and staff in front of Annie’s Vintage Garden the first Friday of every month, during the George Streetfest on Main.
About the Dove Center
Dove Center is a not-for-profit organization committed to providing safe, caring and confidential shelter, advocacy and support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and to reducing the incidents of abuse through prevention education. For more information, go to the Dove Center website.
Resources
- If you have an idea for a community partnership or want to donate jewelry to the “Reclaim the Beauty” campaign, contact Annie Fuller by email or visit the Dove Center website
- Annie’s Vintage Garden is located at 3 N. Main Street in St. George
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