Shop for a Cause, Transforming a Town One Tote At a Time
NN: Lori Grossi
transformed her town through her fundraiser, Shop for a Cause. Her work to
raise awareness through the sale and promotion of Nomi Network products was
wildly successful, not to mention hugely encouraging to Nomi’s executive team.
Thank you for your unstoppable passion, Lori!
I went
immediately to my computer and with a mix of skepticism and enthusiasm, I began
looking for as much information as I could find on the non profit organization
known as Nomi Network. I read all of the information on the website. I located
financial records and I investigated the legitimacy of this fledgling
nonprofit. I needed to be satisfied that the interests and motivations of
the organization were sound. And I was more than satisfied. I could
let my enthusiasm guide me.
The story
of Nomi was moving. The interest, daring, and commitment shown by the
co-founders, Diana Mao, Alissa Moore and Supei Liu in giving birth to this
idea, heartfelt and deeply human. I loved the fact that Nomi Network included
programs to help survivors and women at risk not only escape the bonds of human
trafficking, but to rebuild their lives and become financially independent
through a variety of educational and skill building programs. And I was
impressed by the ability of Nomi to attract a large network of volunteers and
partner organizations willing to give of themselves in the interest of helping
transform the lives of others. I wanted to join their forces.
I contacted
Nomi Network to inquire about a home show and eventually decided to expand the
idea to include a more public fundraiser. With the guidance and help from
Lisa Kim, Legal Counsel and VP of Sales and Operations, I was able to bring
this idea to life, bring attention to the plight of survivors and women at risk
of human trafficking, and raise about $4100.00 in less than one month!
I have
never been a person who seeks to be center stage and I certainly never pictured
myself standing on the corner in the center of town selling tee-shirts and
bags. But my desire to help was stronger than my misgivings about the
idea. Before long, I found myself boldly informing everyone I encountered
of the problem of human trafficking and the fact that I was planning a
fundraiser to benefit survivors and women at risk. I created a kind of
marketing campaign with a fact sheet on human trafficking, printed posters, and
3” x 5” postcards with the slogan, SHOP FOR A CAUSE. I sent packets of material
to friends and colleagues. I distributed the same information to local
businesses and liberally handed cards out to people I met during the course of
the day, all with the request to “spread the word.”
I “kicked-off”
the fundraiser with a dozen friends at my home the night before I was scheduled
to set up my display downtown, looking to garner support and encouragement from
friends and family. All of my guests were passionate about the need to
address the problem of human trafficking and their conversations reflected
that. They were generous in their purchases of “incredibly high quality
products” and quick to add additional funding by “rounding off” to the nearest,
$10, $20 and even $30 total amount, thanking me for bringing this issue out in the
open. To say I was deeply moved by the collective spirit of the night
would be an understatement. I was excited for the next day to arrive.
And arrive
it did. From the time I set up my display until the last hour of the day,
men and women came to pay homage to survivors and women at risk of human
trafficking. I was amazed. The women from the gym showed up in numbers.
Local shopkeepers and business owners came by to show their support. Friends,
and friends of friends, clients, family members, people who had seen the press
release in the newspaper, others who had seen the posters in shop windows, all
came by to SHOP FOR A CAUSE. And almost every single one of them, said “thank
you” for taking the time.
I had
planned on making the fundraiser a success, having purchased almost $2700.00 of
merchandise in advance. And I was determined to not return one item even
though Nomi is willing to process returns for a small repackaging fee. But I
never imagined that I would be able to sell so much merchandise in so short a
time. By the end of the day, I had sold about $2300.00 of the original
order and had put in an additional order of about $300.00 for specifically
requested items that I had run out of. During the course of the next
couple of weeks I sold the remainder of the merchandise. And I plan on
doing another fundraiser sometime between now and the upcoming 2013 Superbowl
which is scheduled to take place in New Jersey.
Upon
reflection, I am convinced that more people care about social issues than it
would appear. And a good number of people are specifically moved by the
horrors of human trafficking but do not know what they can do about their
concerns. The fundraiser offered an option and an outlet that attracted many to
the cause. Additionally, I believe it was very helpful to talk to people
directly, invite them personally, and provide them with information about
trafficking on a local level as well as on a global level to make it clear that
this is not a problem that happens to other people in other places from which
they are immune—just in case it made a difference.
My favorite
product is the signature tote bag in the block style. I ordered 35 of them
and sold every single one. It is the piece that first drew me in to Nomi—with
it’s brightly colored lettering and trim against a dark background, it’s strong
fabric construction and bold—I will not be silenced—statement. It is that
product that embodies the spirit and lives of those that it is created to
serve. And it is that product which I hope one day will become obsolete.
- Lori Gross
what an amazing effort and inspiring story about a community coming together! and this is just the beginning. well done to Lori and all who helped make this happen.
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