2008 Woodie Awards
Thrift Store Set to Open On Campus
Allison Holtman
Issue date: 9/22/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Women and Financial Independence (WFI), one of Smith College's newest and already most celebrated organizations, is once again on the verge of launching a new project. The much anticipated project known as SmiTHrift is in the process of creating and then establishing a thrift store on, or very close to, the Smith campus.
Now beginning its second year of planning, SmiTHrift still has a long way to go before the idea becomes a reality. Headed by Olga Darcia Radovskaya '07, the group depends on committed student involvement to help get the project on its feet. Radovskaya explains, "Whatever you are into, whether it is budgeting, entrepreneurship, design, marketing, research, or community outreach, there is a place for your skills."
SmithThrift is a way for students to become involved, not only in business, but also in the greater Northampton community. "The idea is that there is already a huge market on the Smith campus. Things left to rot for months in trunk rooms can now find a purposeful use." One of the main goals of the project is to benefit the community. All of the proceeds from the thrift store will go to charities that benefit women and girls in the Pioneer Valley. Radovskaya adds, "We want the store to give back to the Northampton community, especially since they've been so kind to the college in years past."
The students currently involved hope to engage yet another group of students to contribute to the store. In addition to involving those who wish to make personal donations of clothes, decorations, furniture, and anything else that may be lying around unused, SmithThrift is hoping to involve student artists. The many knitters, painters, and various other artists thriving on campus are encouraged to contribute their works of art for a positive cause. Other students who want to add their donations can do so on designated contribution days.
As the project is not yet complete, the store currently does not have a site of operation on campus. While group members are looking into finding a site, they are optimistic about future success. The project has already received attention from outside the Smith community, including queries and encouragement from Northampton residents. The group had success last semester, after debuting a pilot version of the project: a plaid fashion show. SmithThrift is hoping to become a reality in the next few months and open by the end of the semester.
The creator of SmithThrift, Shira Frank '07, has described the idea of the store as an "A-ha! moment." Frank wants to create a practical organization on campus with philanthropy as its main goal. The wheels have been set into motion, and the project is set to become just that. Anyone interested in more information is encouraged to consult WFI or Group Leader Olga Darcia Radovskaya.
Now beginning its second year of planning, SmiTHrift still has a long way to go before the idea becomes a reality. Headed by Olga Darcia Radovskaya '07, the group depends on committed student involvement to help get the project on its feet. Radovskaya explains, "Whatever you are into, whether it is budgeting, entrepreneurship, design, marketing, research, or community outreach, there is a place for your skills."
SmithThrift is a way for students to become involved, not only in business, but also in the greater Northampton community. "The idea is that there is already a huge market on the Smith campus. Things left to rot for months in trunk rooms can now find a purposeful use." One of the main goals of the project is to benefit the community. All of the proceeds from the thrift store will go to charities that benefit women and girls in the Pioneer Valley. Radovskaya adds, "We want the store to give back to the Northampton community, especially since they've been so kind to the college in years past."
The students currently involved hope to engage yet another group of students to contribute to the store. In addition to involving those who wish to make personal donations of clothes, decorations, furniture, and anything else that may be lying around unused, SmithThrift is hoping to involve student artists. The many knitters, painters, and various other artists thriving on campus are encouraged to contribute their works of art for a positive cause. Other students who want to add their donations can do so on designated contribution days.
As the project is not yet complete, the store currently does not have a site of operation on campus. While group members are looking into finding a site, they are optimistic about future success. The project has already received attention from outside the Smith community, including queries and encouragement from Northampton residents. The group had success last semester, after debuting a pilot version of the project: a plaid fashion show. SmithThrift is hoping to become a reality in the next few months and open by the end of the semester.
The creator of SmithThrift, Shira Frank '07, has described the idea of the store as an "A-ha! moment." Frank wants to create a practical organization on campus with philanthropy as its main goal. The wheels have been set into motion, and the project is set to become just that. Anyone interested in more information is encouraged to consult WFI or Group Leader Olga Darcia Radovskaya.