Scholar-Shop Success

by Laurie Caswell-Burke

I love browsing secondhand clothing stores. You never know the treasures you will find. And I often wonder about the story behind the items that someone previously owned and no longer wanted. When Stern Center President, Dr. Blanche Podhajski, approached me about organizing a gently used clothing sale to raise funds for the Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute for Excellence (CKHIE), I was thrilled and the first annual Scholar-Shop was brought into being.

Held on Wednesday, February 19 from 2 p.m.- 7 p.m. in a private Charlotte home, Scholar-Shop was a shopping experience extraordinaire. Over $2,500 was raised in this clothing sale of new and gently used apparel for CKHIE, which underwrites instruction for families and offers fellowships to teachers so they can participate in the Stern Center’s Professional Learning programs

“The Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute for Excellence extends research knowledge to teachers and students – what fun to shop for bargains and invest in rich learning opportunities!” said Dr. Podhajski.

After braving snowy roads, guests arrived at the elegant home of our gracious hostess, Hilary Maslow. Shoppers’ expressed delight as they laid their eyes upon racks and racks of clothing meticulously arranged by size and style, and piles of sweaters carefully placed on benches and tables. An array of costume jewelry graced an antique coffee table and the special corner designated for men’s clothing was bustling.

And if that wasn’t enough, the merchandise was priced to sell with pieces from well-known brands, like Ralph Lauren, Anne Taylor, Banana Republic, Burton and Seven, with many items marked below $10. A raffle of gift certificates to some very classy boutiques in Shelburne and downtown Burlington, including Common Deer, Arabesque, Whim, Stella and Jivana Holistic Spa drew a lot of attention and created buzz amongst the buyers. 

The help given to the Stern Center by Peggy Eastman at Sportstyle and by SCHIP’s Treasure for lending us clothing racks, Marshalls for providing hundreds of hangers and Gadues Dry Cleaning for help with cleaning several items was invaluable. It really does take a village to host a Scholar-Shop!
 
As the evening progressed it became clear that Scholar-Shop was about far more than finding the perfect sweater or skirt. It was about a community of caring people who donated their clothing, and volunteered their time and energy because they care deeply about the Stern Center’s mission of helping all learners succeed.
 
As I walked through the crowd I heard many snippets of conversation. “Oh, that was my mother’s watch” and “My friend bought that scarf for me in Europe many years ago, enjoy.” It was such fun witnessing the multitude of old and new connections people shared as they shopped and visited. 

One shopper remarked, "What fun to be able to buy nice things at such a great price and  know that the funds are all going to support learners through the Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute." 

Stay tuned for next year!

 Laurie Caswell Burke is a Major Gifts Specialist at the Stern Center. She is a writer and teacher. Skinny Dipping with Loons is her first book. She lives in Shelburne, VT.