Shoe Swap
What's it all about?
The Origins of She Shoe Swaps
She Shoe Swaps is inspired by my Mom - Rosemarie Vennard. Mom passed away on February 13, 2012, and this all came about because of her. She lived her life in Salmon Arm and was always giving her time and energy for some cause or another. She would ring the bells for the Salvation Army, canvas for CNIB, Heart & Stroke, Cancer, and other causes, a 50 year member of the Rebekahs, volunteer at the Thrift Store and Seniors Drop in Centre. She ran the Saturday night bingos at the Seniors so that the Centre could give thousands away to charity each year. She was described often as a “going concern”.
When she passed, we started a fund at the Shuswap Community Foundation called Rosemarie’s Fund (registered as an endowment fund) . It’s for good things in and around the Shuswap in her name. She loved this place and the people who lived here. We wanted to create something that would grow her fund and hopefully be a way for us all to remember her and her philosophy - do it because you care. Mom was always a saver - she would save items that she thought someone else might be able to use. It might be a pair of used crutches or a snazzy hat that someone decided they didn’t like, she always thought about someone else being able to benefit.
This is my opportunity to think of someone else. As a woman who enjoys shopping, I have bought shoes that were on sale for the outfit I didn’t have (but were on SALE!), shoes that I bought that pinched and never were to be worn again, and shoes that just spoke to me at the time. Don’t get me started on the purses! I realized I wasn’t alone. Shoes and bags reside in every woman’s closet that didn’t quite work out. Rather than collect dust in my closet when I can’t quite bear to give them away, let someone else be thrilled with those new heels, that fabulous new bag, or those kick ass boots.
Kathryn
It’s ALL for charity. Expenses are covered out of pocket so this is 100% all charitable and the best possible way to give!
In past years, ½ our profit was paid to the SAFE Society in Salmon Arm (the women’s shelter) and ½ was paid to Shuswap Community Foundation - endowment fund in memory of Rosemarie Vennard.
This 2022 Season introduces a new charity, Salmon Arm Rescue Unit, which is a non-profit dedicated to freeing patients who are trapped in vehicles.
Each year it is bigger and better and we can’t wait to see what happens in 2022. The group of amazing volunteers make this possible, along with the great businesses who “host” a drop box, donate a donor prize, or let us place advertising shoes and bags in their shops. The list keeps growing and I thank each and every one of you for making this such a success.
$17,373.75 in 2021
$0 in 2020 - Covid
$16,503.00 in 2019
$11,237.25 in 2018
$10,380.00 in 2017
$8,805.20 in 2016
$6,724.35 in 2015
$4,272.00 in 2014
$2,427.50 in 2013
$1,518.00 in 2012
(our first year)
Thanks to the Volunteers:
People are busy and asking for help can be tough, but these people made 2022 a very amazing seventh year.
-
Dawn Alstad - all that and brains too! A woman of endless energy
-
Lynda Mason - she has taste, style, and organizational skills aplenty
-
Mareike Klem - fabulous design and promotion
-
Angel Agassiz - an amazing woman at sales - with a super supportive husband (thanks Jay!)
-
Deanna Connelly - in it from the beginning, a wonderful woman and generous sponsor
-
June Kiessling - dedicated Ooh La La Purse Raffle ticket sales woman with a huge heart
-
Margaret Moores - artist, purse sponsor, ticket seller, and volunteer - she does it all!
-
Candace McKibbon & Armin Hosseini (Homelife) - providing muscles, organizational talent and enthusiasm!
-