Gwynn Yandow in the Retreat Boutique. Brattleboro Retreat photo.
Vermont Business Magazine The Bombas Giving Program has donated 1,500 pairs of new socks to the Brattleboro Retreat's patient clothing program known as the Retreat Boutique. The Retreat Boutique is primarily a used clothing program that was launched by employees in 2016 to provide clean, quality garments for Brattleboro Retreat patients in need. It is run by volunteers who gather, sort, launder, and fold donations.
During the last three years, Brattleboro Retreat employees have also donated more than $15,000 to the boutique through an annual employee giving campaign. Funds are used to purchase high demand items such as undergarments, t-shirts, sweat shirts, sweat pants, footwear, and socks.
But now the Boutique has plenty of socks thanks to Bombas, which was founded on the philosophy of donating socks to those in need. As such, they practice a business model of "One item purchased = one item donated." Bombas is based in New York City.
“You’d be surprised how many patients come to the Retreat without adequate clothing, perhaps with just the garments they are wearing, or only an ER hospital gown,” said Gwynn Yandow, director of Patient Advocacy and Consumer Affairs. Beneficiaries of the donated clothing include children, adolescents, and adults.
The donation from Bombas arrived on Thursday, June 13, and included 500 XL ankle socks; 250 large ankle socks; 500 medium calf socks; and 250 small (colored) ankle socks.
"I am so excited to be partnering with Bombas," said Yandow. "Our patients will really benefit from this program both practically and therapeutically as they recover and rebuild a sense of dignity, trust, and self-worth."
Brattleboro Retreat photo of Gwynn Yandow, director of Patient Advocacy and Consumer Affairs with a pile of Bombas socks.
Used clothing donations typically come from Retreat employees as well as individuals and organizations in the local community. Members of the Greenfield Community College Nursing program recently donated four large boxes and three large bags of clothing as part of one student’s service learning project.
Community members who would like to make clothing donations to the Retreat Boutique are encouraged to contact Gwynn Yandow at 802-258-6118.
The Brattleboro Retreat, founded in 1834, is a not-for-profit, regional specialty psychiatric hospital and addiction treatment center, providing a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation services for individuals and families of all ages. Recognized as a leader in the treatment mental illness and addiction, the Brattleboro Retreat offers a high quality, individualized, comprehensive continuum of care including inpatient, partial hospitalization, residential and outpatient treatment.
Source: BRATTLEBORO, VT (June 24, 2019)—Brattleboro Retreat