For Karen Singer, a born-and-bred Baltimorean, shopping is more than a pastime.
It’s a passion.
“My love for shopping is genetic,” says Singer. “I come from a long line of good shoppers. I grew up going to Loehmann’s [a discount store with designer items] with my mother and grandmother. It’s a part of my lifeblood. The collective shopping experience is just so much fun.”
Singer is now taking that passion and giving it a greater purpose with an event called “Shopping for Something Good.” The event is a five-day bazaar benefiting Jewish Volunteer Connection, the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland and the Kennedy Krieger Institute.
“‘Shopping for Something Good’ will be the launch of ‘Something Good’s’ 2017-2018 volunteer year,” says Singer, chair of the board at JVC. “The goal is to raise money for three organizations, but to also realize with a bit of creativity you can inspire people to make a difference and make an impact in a way that appeals to them.”
An attorney who belongs to Temple Oheb Shalom and Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Singer started the “Something Good” initiative in 2014 as a way to celebrate her 50th birthday. A lifelong volunteer, she says she was looking for a way to increase her volunteerism.
“‘Something Good’ is a weekend hands-on volunteer initiative, with events once a month from September through June, alternating Saturday and Sunday mornings,” says Singer. “It’s the easiest way to volunteer because you only have to commit to one event at a time.”
“Something Good,” which has a distribution list of about 400 volunteers, is one of more than 20 VolunTeams supported by JVC.
“VolunTeams are volunteer-led groups of volunteers that work together and share a commitment to service,” says JVC Executive Director Ashley Pressman. “VolunTeams leverage the ability of the JVC staff by working with volunteer leaders, who then cultivate their volunteers to participate in different activities.”
“Something Good” volunteer activities change each month and have included events at Our Daily Bread, Moveable Feast, Art With a Heart and the Bedtime in a Box educational initiative.
“It is unique for an individual to host this type of event in her home to benefit three different organizations, each of which serves vital community needs,” says Pressman. “It’s been inspiring and fun to watch Karen have a unique idea and bring it to life.”
Singer is collecting new and gently used men’s and women’s clothing, accessories and shoes, as well as household items for a pop-up shop set up at her home off of Greenspring Avenue in Lutherville. She is accepting donations through Aug. 24.
“I touch every object so everything that is available for sale is of a quality I would buy,” says Singer. “I’ve done a few sneak peeks and people have been thrilled with what they are seeing. The idea is to collect the items and redeploy them for a good purpose.”
All proceeds will be divided equally between JVC, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland and Kennedy Krieger Institute.
“This is a great opportunity for the community to not only get some great deals on designer clothing, but to do so while supporting three great Baltimore nonprofits,” says Michele Mueller, director of special events at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. “Kennedy Krieger is looking to raise awareness of the institute and our programs, while raising funds to continue benefitting our children.”
Says Violet Apple, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland: “It is special that we were chosen to be the recipient of a portion of the proceeds. ‘Shopping for Something Good’ is a unique, one-of-a-kind event that will be a lot of fun. It is the type of event that will offer a shopping experience for so many.”
While Singer knows there are other consignment shops and programs out there, she says “Shopping for Something Good” will give people a different kind of shopping experience.
“This is grassroots,” says Singer. “It’s nice people coming out to have a good time and adding a social side to shopping. It’s creating a sense of community through volunteerism.”
[box type=”shadow”]There will be a “Shopping for Something Good” preview party on Aug. 29 from 6-9 p.m., with an $18 tax-deductible admission fee. Additional shopping hours will take place on Aug. 30-31 and on Sept. 1 from 6-9 p.m. and Sept. 2 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Non-designer items will cost $10 and designer items will cost $20.
To donate items for “Shopping for Something Good” or for the exact address of the pop-up shop, contact Karen Singer at ksinger.somethinggood@gmail.com. [/box]
Aliza Friedlander is a Baltimore-based freelance writer.
Photo of Karen Singer by Steve Ruark
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