NEW MEMBER CLOSEUP with Sweet Charity & WOW

Women of Wisdom and Sweet Charity: A Charitable Giving Circle

Women of Wisdom

In the summer of 2006, Lizbeth Ryan felt a strong desire to do something to encourage kindness and generosity within our community – “something good needs to rise up.” In September of that year, Lizbeth gathered a few women to discuss the idea of forming a group to do “good works of service.” Together they formed a charitable giving circle named Women of Wisdom (WoW). Out of a heartfelt desire to expand the potential impact of the WoW giving circle, Liz Markowski, an experienced retailer, posed the concept of a resale shop. Following months of research, negotiation, education, and construction, Sweet Charity opened its doors for business in August of 2007, accepting generous donations of homegoods and welcoming eager shoppers!

Women of Wisdom Board of Directors

Based on the model of a charitable giving circle, the WoW Board of Directors pools personal resources, profits from Sweet Charity, and generous monetary donations from our community to provide confidential, personalized support to individuals, families, and organizations in many areas, including the arts, education, health, social services, women’s issues, and the environment.

Today, the WoW Board of Directors includes the founders Lizbeth Ryan, Liz Markowski, and Patty Paul, as well as Amanda Bodell, Janice Bosworth, Meg Brash, Anne Cohn, Jennifer Hatch, Bo Price, and Cindy Schultz. We care deeply about the well-being of individuals and families in our community. It’s an honor to work with the thoughtful and talented Sweet Charity staff and dedicated volunteers to help meet our goals of service and giving back.

Sweet Charity

The following is an interview with the fabulously-talented Sweet Charity Store Manager, Lauren Laberge Taddeo.

Where is Sweet Charity, and when can I come in and shop?

Sweet Charity is located at 141A Main Street in Vergennes, VT, right next to 3 Squares Cafe. We’re open Mon 11 am–3 pm, Tu-Fri 9:30 am–4 pm, and Sat. 10 am–2 pm.

We are an almost completely volunteer operation. Most of our volunteers are retirees from successful careers, and we even have two "30-somethings" that find it fun to come in and help out! Our volunteers are essential to our success. Their enthusiasm and creativity spark the energy felt when entering the store!

What does a shopper see when they enter the doors of Sweet Charity?

Sweet Charity’s merchandise consists primarily of furniture, art, dishes, pottery, glassware, jewelry, kitchen goods, linens, home decor, and seasonal ware. We strive to present our everevolving inventory artfully and creatively –come in and see! Every time, it’s like a treasure hunt – there’s always something new and pretty. And if you see something you like, be sure to grab it, because it will be gone next week! We also have the East Street garage and Annex, both brimming with fabulous treasures that we can’t manage to fit in the store itself, so it’s always good to ask if you’re looking for something!

How do you receive donations?

We receive donations Tuesday through Friday, 10 am–3 pm, in the store. We appreciate all household items, as long as they are clean, gently used, and not broken or chipped. For larger items, an enthusiastic team of volunteers is available to coordinate and pick up donations from your home.

What are some of the most interesting/unusual things that have been donated?

We have received donations from local artists such as Woody Jackson and Danforth Pewterers, which always capture our shoppers' interest. We recently received a donation of a rare silver flask set, which is now being offered at auction in Chicago.

What kinds of things sell the best?

Fabric, yarn, cookbooks, vintage linens, anything lace, Pyrex and other vintage kitchenware, sets of glassware, seasonal decor, jewelry, small tables, and outdoor furniture.

Do you host any special events?

Yes! We are always coming up with enticing promotions to make the store a more interesting experience. For example, "fill a bag for $10" events, a holiday open house, tea party kits for families, gladiolus bulbs and plants in the spring....it never ends!

What are three unique things about Sweet Charity?

I would say the wonderful dedicated volunteers whose enthusiasm and creativity keep the store looking fresh; the generosity of spirit that is nurtured by the donation of interesting treasures that get a second (or third) chance at life (people save their best stuff for us!); and the reuse and recycle mindset we have, keeping things out of the landfill.

What are you looking forward to in the future for Sweet Charity?

We want to continuously reach a larger audience to keep us current, thereby fulfilling more funding requests to help preserve the health, welfare, and dignity of the wonderful members of our community!

General information about Women of Wisdom and Sweet Charity, as well funding-request forms, can be found at www.sweetcharityvt.com. Please follow us on Instagram @sweetcharityvt and like us on Facebook @sweetcharity. Feel free to give us a call at 802-877-6200.