History

A small idea that grew

The Clothes Exchange, Inc.’s mission is to raise money for nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives of women and families.  Founded in 2001, by Leslie Halperin, soon after she realized that she had too many clothes, she never wore, and imagined that she wasn’t alone.

Mindful of the adage reduce, reuse, recycle, Leslie invited a few fashionable friends over for wine, hors d’oeuvres, and the chance to try on each other’s clothes.  At that first exchange, Leslie and her friends saw an opportunity to turn the gathering into an event for social change, and The Clothes Exchange was born.

Two events were held that first year. At each, twenty women swapped clothes, had fun and raised money for causes that mattered to them - the Windows on the World Fund to support families of food service workers at the Twin Towers who died on 9/11 and the Committee On Temporary Shelter, a shelter and service provider for homeless people in Burlington, Vermont.

Each year, more women donated and shopped. 
Each year, more money was raised.

In 2005 The Clothes Exchange out grew Leslie’s home. In 2007, more than 400 women shopped and raised $24,800 for the Visiting Nurses Association’s Family Room program.

The Clothes Exchange has become one of the most successful and fun annual fundraising events in the Burlington, Vermont community.

For more information about volunteering, donating, sponsoring or hosting your own Clothes Exchange, contact us.