IT’S A GIRL THING! XAVIER STUDENT HELPS OTHER TEENS BY RECYCLING FASHION

Xavier College Preparatory junior Lindsay Kearns tackled her community service requirement in a very special way. She was interested in helping at-risk teenage girls, and wanted to provide them with both much-needed clothing items and a special experience. Lindsay held a clothing drive at Xavier for two weeks, collecting girls’ used clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry and room decor. She then partnered with local business The Rowdy Boutique, 4717 N. 7th St., to hold an apparel and accessories give-away, “It’s A Girl Thing”, taking place Sunday, November 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

One of Lindsay’s goals for the project was to present the clothing in a boutique setting. Melissa Owens and Kristin Dus of Rowdy Boutique loved the idea and offered their store for the event, where girls will also enjoy refreshments and listen to music. They helped Lindsay plan the affair and added some of their own merchandise to the give-away. Over 125 invitations were extended to girls through Florence Crittenton, Youth at Risk, Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development, and Home Base Youth Services among others.

While planning the event, Lindsay’s biggest concern was that she wouldn’t collect enough clothing. “The Xavier community was amazing,” said Lindsay. “I counted over 2,100 accessories and clothing items. There was clothing stacked three feet high!” She also approached other nearby businesses for help and found everyone willing. Jewish Family Services is lending clothing racks, Arizona Rentals will supply canopies, Windsor Cleaners offered hangers, AJ’s Fine Foods provided bags, and Salon Estique donated gifts for the girls.

“This has been so exciting and I want to repeat it next year,” said Lindsay. “My hope is that it will become an on-going partnership between Xavier, community businesses, and these agencies. You know, a girl thing!”