September 10th saw the 7th annual Kumeu Clothing Swap & Shop at the Kumeu Showgrounds in support of Parent Aid North West. A day of community, camaraderie and fun, showcasing a growing eagerness for us all to embrace sustainable fashion choices.
It is with great excitement and gratitude that we share that this years event raised $21,779.80 for Parent Aid North West, as well as a huge amount of awareness and knowledge shared about the services this fantastic local charity provide to support young families in our North West community.
In the lead-up to the event, we were thrilled to see hundreds of swappers generously contributing over the course of three days. The volume of clothing donations was awe-inspiring, with each piece carrying its own unique story and style. From the first drop-off on Thursday afternoon, an energy filled the air, setting the tone for an unforgettable event. The three days dedicated to drop-offs and setup were a hive of activity, culminating in the highly anticipated main event on Sunday.
Guests eagerly started lining up at8am on Sunday, and the queue steadily grew throughout the morning. The atmosphere was abuzz with a blend of freshly brewed coffee, delectable crepes, and live music courtesy of the talented duo, Charlotte and Phil Priestly – who you may have seen at the Kumeu markets. Raffle tickets were in high demand, with participants eagerly vying for a chance at our two epic raffle prizes. Sporting their pink wristbands, everyone was poised and ready to dive into the shopping experience!
At 10am the doors opened, and the energy was awesome. With thirty new racks this year, and clothing sorted by size within each category, attendees had more space than ever to peruse for new-to-them gems. Additionally, we expanded the size of our changing room by double, providing ample space for everyone to explore and try on their newfound treasures.
The silent auction gained significant attention, with spirited bidding taking place throughout the day. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our silent auction donors for your contributions and generosity. Your support played such a huge role in making this event the success that it was, thank you.
At 12pm, we welcomed ‘shoppers’ (those that hadn’t donated clothes). It was heartening to see a steady flow of enthusiasts exploring the clothes, and at just $5 an item with no entry fee, it was a bargain for all. One standout moment was when our top shopper invested $350 on 70 items – they were absolutely delighted with their new wardrobe!
A huge thank you to the Kumeu Show Grounds for hosting us once again with a special shout-out to Lizelle and Greg for their invaluable assistance. It truly is the perfect venue for this event!
We would also like to extend a massive thank you to Sweet As Crepes, Harcourts Coffee and Cone (graciously sponsored by Simone du Bernard), Cipe Designs, Charlotte Priestly Music, A Gazillion Balloons, Mini Oak, Rollercoaster, The Smooth Mover, Country Lane Storage, North West Rentals and The House Company, for their invaluable support throughout the weekend. Your contributions played a vital role in making this event a resounding success.
Very special appreciation goes out to our extraordinary team of volunteers, who worked tirelessly for four days to bring this event to life, and ensure the smooth running of every aspect. Your dedication was invaluable, and we can’t thank you enough.
Finally, thank you to all who joined us in supporting the Kumeu Clothing Swap & Shop 2023 and Parent Aid North West. We look forward to seeing you next year for another wonderful event!
For further information about Parent Aid North West, please their website at parentaidnorthwest.org.nz
Instagram @kumeuclothingswapandshop
Facebook – Kumeu Clothing Swap & Shop group
