ROLAND PARK, Md. — A boutique at The Village of Cross Keys is warming hearts and bodies this winter through a community coat drive to help women and children in need.
WATCH: Local boutique collects coats for domestic violence survivors
"Many of our customers love to give back, so this is a great way for us to encourage people to shop local as well as to come in and bring in a coat, a gently used coat. We have tons of coats in the store already and were expecting many more," Betsy Wendell says.
Throughout the week, community members are encouraged to bring gently worn coats for women and children to Octavias Boutique.
The initiative supports some of the most vulnerable members of the community during the coldest months of the year.
Bradley Sensibaugh says the coat drive represents just one small way to support domestic violence victims and help them rebuild their lives.
"Partnerships like this is so vital to the health not only of the nonprofit, but the health of Baltimore County and the state because domestic violence is a real issue and it's not going away," Sensibaugh said.
Each year, the Family Crisis Center supports more than 5,000 families and individuals healing from domestic abuse. Many are staying in shelters or have lost everything when fleeing dangerous situations.
"Now more than ever, it's very cold outside, and if we can in some way give warmth, kindness, and love, that's really important, and I think what Betsy Wendell is doing is really kind of the most moving thing I've ever seen," said Vincent De Paul.
As an added incentive, the boutique is offering each donating customer a 20% discount on a store item as a thank-you.
"Many of our customers will come in with just bags of coats and they don't even want a discount they just want to support and bring in the coats and donate," Windell says.
The final opportunity to donate to this coat drive is Friday.
The Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County also has a 24-hour helpline for anyone who needs assistance 410-828-6390
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