WINNEMUCCA - The Rotary Club of Winnemucca asked for bras and they got a bunch - especially from the Frugal Flamingo.
In all, the Rotary Club was able to gather 1,300 bras for women who have been the victims of sex trafficking. Of that number, 811 bras came from the Frugal Flamingo Thrift Shop.
The bra project's success was the result of efforts by Rotary project chairman JoAnn Casalez, executive director of Scrap Domestic Violence, and fellow Rotarian Sherry Smith, executive director of the Humboldt Volunteer Hospice, which operates the Frugal Flamingo.
The Rotary Club of Winnemucca led the bra drive, with the Frugal Flamingo and others, including Kaia Fit, Miller Law, Bella Grazia and Soroptimist of Winnemucca, also collecting bras and camisoles as part of the community drive and fundraiser.
The effort came under the auspices of "Free the Girls: Fight Human Trafficking," a nonprofit organization providing job opportunities to women rescued from sex trafficking.
According to freethegirls.com, 27 million men, women and children are currently being held as slaves around the world - more today than in any other time in history. Eighty percent of those slaves are women and girls.
A large number of organizations are doing their part to rescue these victims, but once they return to a life of freedom, they have no means of livelihood.
"Free the Girls" notes that second-hand clothing is a profitable market in many counties around the world, and bras are sought-after items. Plus, bras provide an opportunity for these women to work with other women, since they have a history of being abused and used by men.
"As a second-hand clothing retailer, we understand how much this income can help," said Smith. "The Frugal Flamingo, our second-hand clothing store, has helped provide some stability to our bottom line."
Smith continued, "We can see the value in this project. Second-hand clothing opportunities across the globe will allow these women and girls to achieve some stability in their lives."
Casalez said she was blown away by the generous outpouring from the community.
"Thank you to all the Rotarians who helped make this project such a huge success in Winnemucca," she said, "and to our community for reaching out to help."
Casalez added, "I know that Winnemucca, Nevada, has made a huge difference in this fight."
The Rotary Club of Winnemucca participates in a broad range of educational, intercultural, and humanitarian activities designed to improve the lives of others.
The Humboldt Volunteer Hospice honors and supports individuals in the Humboldt County community who are suffering from a chronic, debilitating or terminal illness.
All hospice care is provided at no cost to patients. Families do not need a doctor's referral in order to access hospice services.
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