‘Party with a Purpose’ event helps survivors of abuse with resources to restart their lives

Leaving an abuser takes courage and tenacity.

And oftentimes there’s no time to pack.

“They often will have nothing when they’re leaving their abuser,” Paul Kallenberg, the manager of the consignment store The Shelter Options Shoppe.

All proceeds from the store on 2nd Avenue North in Naples goes toward the Shelter for Abused Women and Children.

Abuse victims can also go to the store to get what they need for free to restart their lives.

“One particular case that stands out to me is that a woman had to flee her abuser and could not even stay in Florida,” Kallenberg said. “So she came with a U-Haul. And we loaded up the truck and she was just rushing because she needed to get out of Florida. And it’s touching but it’s also emotional.”

Through the “Party with a Purpose” event at women’s clothing store Patchington, the public can help the consignment store.

To participate, head to Patchington and bring a donation of used clothes, a new personal item or $10 to get 25% off any item at Patchington. The event is ongoing through Nov. 1.

“You can either bring in your gently used clothing from your closet or personal items. And if you can’t part with anything, or you’re shopping and don’t have that item on you, you can donate $10 and 100% of the proceeds will go to the shelter,” said Christine Grossarth, general manager at Patchington’s location in the Village Shops on Venetian Bay.

“You know, we are a shop for women, you know, and we enjoy women and being fun,” Grossarth said. “And not everyone can do that, you know, we all have our, you know, trials and tribulations. And this is a way for us to give back.”

The option shops also provide furniture for the Shelter’s transitional living cottages, which are homes women stay in temporarily after leaving the shelter as they rebuild their lives.