For more than 30 years, Laurie Vogel ran stores in Westport: Joan & David. Country Road. Plaza Two.
Three years ago, she moved here. She also made a slight career change: She became a wardrobe consultant.
Vogel was not the type to encourage clients to just buy more. She helps women organize their closets, to maximizing the clothes they already own — and getting rid of those they do not need.
Laurie Vogel, hard at work.
Around the same time, Barbara Butler — a friend and Westport’s former human services director — introduced her to Lynn Abramson, the head of Homes With Hope‘s mentor program.
Vogel became a mentor. “This is not about giving advice,” Vogel notes. “Mentoring is listening, encouraging, suggesting, making them strong enough to make it on their own.”
Vogel learned that some Homes With Hope clients needed clothes. So she began collecting items — including children’s clothing — for them. In addition to her own clients, she calls around for donations, then delivers them herself.
Vogel describes the clothes she collected for a 3-year-old girl. In addition to regular clothing, there were dress-up items.
“She was overwhelmed with excitement,” Vogel says. “She never dreamed she’d get a chance to play with clothes like any other little girl.”
“People here want to do good,” she says. “But a lot of times they don’t know how. Or they don’t have the time.”
Like so many of us, Laurie Vogel is busy. But not too busy to help.
Now you can too. To learn more about donating clothes, email lvogel236@optonline.net.
