Tammie Sellman (left), Wayside House’s chief development director, with Martha Grimm and Lisa Jankowski, who are co-chairing the event. Photo provided
By Amy Woods
The Spring Boutique & Trunk Show, an annual fundraiser for Wayside House, will sport a new look this month as it unfolds in a new venue.
The event is set for Feb. 14 through 16 at the Aloft Delray Beach.
“Everyone will be on one floor,” co-chairwoman Martha Grimm said, referring to the former location at the Old School Square Fieldhouse, where the market took place on two levels with steep stairs.
“Another great thing about the Aloft is they will provide almost everything that we had to provide — food, tables, chairs. There also will be valet parking.”
The fresh digs will welcome the old vendors that patrons of the much-anticipated shopping opportunity have come to adore.
“The vendors are very excited to be here,” Grimm said. “This is their livelihood. I think our shoppers appreciate that there is so much to choose from under one roof. It makes shopping for everybody on their list easier.”
Most vendors return year after year, making the trip from all across the country, with one coming from Germany. A total of 27 vendors will offer a variety of merchandise such as high-end clothing, designer jewelry, home décor and more.
“We’re sort of hopeful couples will come and maybe a Valentine’s Day present or two will be bought,” co-chairwoman Lisa Jankowski said, noting the “Share the Love with Wayside” theme. “Because this show has been going for so many years, people really look forward to it. People actually tell me they are saving their money for the Wayside show.”
Wayside House, founded in 1974, serves women in a residential drug-and-alcohol rehabilitation center in Delray Beach. It has expanded throughout the decades to include partial hospitalization and outpatient services. It is one of two facilities countywide that accepts pregnant women.
“What we’re trying to do is address the whole picture for these women,” Jankowski said. “We’re trying to address the whole heart and soul, and one of the ways we do that is to make sure their families stay intact.”
Among the programs that will benefit from the proceeds is parenting education.
“Women battling addiction who have children face specific challenges,” spokeswoman Marlene Passell said. “Some have lost custody of their children because of their addiction, and many must deal with guilt, grief and stress over how their addiction is impacting their children. We help them with much of that with services aimed at improving their parenting skills, interacting with their children, etc.”
Send philanthropy news to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net
If You Go
What: Spring Boutique & Trunk Show
When: 5-7 p.m. Feb. 14 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 15 and 16
Where: Aloft Delray Beach, 202 SE Fifth Ave.
Cost: $125 Feb. 14, $5 Feb. 15 and 16
Information: 561-278-0055 or www.waysidehouse.net
Comments