Newton Et Cetera Shop will be offering three grants of $5000 each to qualified local non-profit organizations.

Newton Et Cetera Shop is a non-profit thrift shop with a mission to provide quality, affordable, recycled merchandise to the community; encourage volunteerism, stewardship and recycling; and benefit the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

In 2012, Et Cetera also began setting aside ten percent of its proceeds for local community giving. We are fiercely committed to our communities and believe that global peace and justice is intertwined with local health. Since our opening in 1976, Newton Et Cetera Shop has donated over $2,000,000 to MCC. With MCC’s blessing, we are growing into this new phase of shared giving. We know the needs are great here and around the world.

That’s where your organization comes in. We are seeking qualified applicants for our Local Giving Fund. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered:

–hold legal non-profit status
–operate out of and serve at least one of the following local communities: Newton, Hesston, Goessel, Moundridge, Whitewater, Elbing, Halstead, Walton
–operate in manner consistent with MCC, guided by purposes consistent with MCC’s Priorities: disaster relief, sustainable community development and justice and peacebuilding.

For a more detailed description of MCC’s core values, principles and practices, visit the following sites: http://www.mcc.org/systems/files/MCCPrinciplesAndPractices_web_0.pdf and centralstates.mcc.org/about/mission.

Based on our 2012 proceeds, we are making available three $5,000 grants. A small sum will be available for emergency requests.

Applications for a Local Giving Fund disbursement must be received by April 1, 2013, either by E-mail or via post. Awardees will receive notification and follow-up instructions no later than April 12.

All applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of the Newton Et Cetera Shop general manager and several board members. Top-candidate applications will be presented to the entire board at the April meeting, at which time awardees will be chosen.

Organizations selected must agree to actively promote and participate in a Local Giving Day event. Local Giving Days will be promoted to the community as days when their purchases support the partner organization. Volunteers from this organization will be available to assist customers and promote their organization’s work in the community.

Once selected, organizations may apply again after three years. The maximum amount available may change from year to year, depending on available proceeds.

Questions may be directed to the Newton Et Cetera Shop general manager.

Fashion is a busy, tedious world. The industry that has been built up from a look, a lifestyle, an art- often comes with an expensive price tag. It is an industry that has introduced distinctive styles to be translated into established trends. We are habitual participants in this form of art- whether or not we realize it. It is aesthetic, and comes to us naturally.

While this industry generates over $20 billion each year, satisfying the elite group of fashion-hungry buyers with rather deep pockets, there is a place for the average Jane to indulge in these trends. Fashion does not have to be for the elite alone.

Two months ago, I took it upon myself to launch a project. I spent $50 and all of my spare time, and put together a photography studio just above the Newton Et Cetera Shop. I reached out to people that I know, and before I knew it, I had models and a hair & makeup team composed of graduates from Eric Fisher Academy. I pulled pieces of clothing from the bags of donations I was sorting as part of my working shift, and coordinating outfits that may have otherwise been overlooked by shoppers. We had a photo shoot. No expensive equipment; I borrowed a tripod from a friend and used my iPhone to take the photographs.

I wanted to prove that there is more to our store than what meets the eye. I wanted to give our customers the feeling of excitement that comes with a special purchase, and to present these styles in such a way that our customers can have a new perspective on second-hand buying. These pieces will make up OOTD.

Over the next two Fridays July 20 and 27 we will be releasing a collection of 1950s and 1960s vintage clothing. We are really excited to give our loyal customer base a look at the beautiful dresses which have been coming into our store over the last couple months.

Over the past month I (Becca Epp, sorter at the Et Cetera Shop) have been collecting, mending and cleaning vintage dresses for a fashion shoot. I have always loved vintage styles and was so excited to be able to organize a special project involving these wonderful clothes.

Last weekend I set our with four of my friends to Bartlett Arboretum, a gorgeous oasis of blooming color and lush foliage. Complete with a vintage formal garden, I could think of no better place to set this shoot. I am so pleased at how the photos turned out and hope that all of you enjoy them too!

A special thanks to Tiana, Emma, Erin and Leah for being my models and also to Robin Macy at the Bartlett Arboretum for so graciously allowing us to use their wonderful space! To see the full album of all the vintage dresses visit our facebook page. And don’t forget to come and visit us in the next two weeks to get look at all these gorgeous dresses!