Chuck Kuepfer, Staff Reporter

A special night of shopping has been planned at the Woolwich Thrift Shop with women in mind.

The Elmira store is hosting Ladies  Night on Wednesday, Aug. 1, with live music, prizes and baked goods.

As an added incentive, Woolwich Community Services, which operates the store, has also teamed up with Abbey Martin and Megan Sheeringa. Both women have previously volunteered at the WCS Information Centre and will offer their expertise   Martin as a Mary Kay Consultant and Sheeringa as a makeup artist and esthetician   for a good cause.

We always try to think of new ideas at the Thrift Shop for sales that we can do and customer appreciation events, and Abbey actually approached our agency wanting to give back to us,  explained Leigh-Anne Quinn, community resources coordinator for WCS.  We kind of thought that having a ladies night to shop was a good idea, not only having a ladies  clothing sale for our customers, but allowing them to be pampered while they re coming in and shopping that evening.

Shoppers will receive complimentary hand pampering and Mary Kay sample baggies, and, for a donation, can also have their nails painted

There will also be door prizes, including a $25 gift certificate for the store.

And those who attend the event will also help benefit the greater community.

The thrift shop is a main fundraiser for Woolwich Community Services, so really anyone who donates to the store, and anything that s sold in the store, the money goes right back into the programs that we provide the community,  said Quinn.  That’s one of the great things about that store. You can come in and get a great deal while also supporting a great cause.

WCS operates a wealth of community programs, including the Woolwich Food Bank, Family Violence Prevention Program, Youth Centre, St. Jacobs Family Support Centre, Care-Ring Transportation rides, Mobility Loan Cupboard, among others.

Along with those who shop at the store, WCS fundraising efforts are aided by donations from the community.

We always have real nice clothing pieces, new items that still have tags on them (and) brand names,  said Quinn.

Donations of gently used clothing, knick knacks, house ware items, books and small household items are always appreciated.

The Aug. 1 ladies  shopping night runs from 5-8 p.m.

For more information, visit www.woolwichcommunityservices.com.