WabiSabi donates $24,000 to sponsored non-profit groups
Aug 30, 2012 | 2196 views | 0 0 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Representatives from the local non-profit groups receiving donations from WabiSabi earlier this month pose for a photo after the awards ceremony. Courtesy photo
Representatives from the local non-profit groups receiving donations from WabiSabi earlier this month pose for a photo after the awards ceremony. Courtesy photo
slideshow
WabiSabi, Moab’s non-profit thrift store recently awarded $24,000 to its 15 sponsored non-profit partners. The money awarded on Aug. 8 was generated through the sale of used clothing and goods during the first half of 2012 at WabiSabi’s two stores, the Thriftique and the WabiSabi Warehouse, according to a news release. Another round of donations will be awarded in January to the same area non-profits for the second half of 2012, officials said.

For 2012, WabiSabi’s Sponsored Nonprofit Partners are Arches Education Center, the BEACON Afterschool Program, Canyonlands Community Recycling, Club Red: the Moab Teen Center, Community Rebuilds, the Humane Society of Moab Valley, KZMU Community Radio, Moab Arts and Recreation Center, Moab Charter School, Moab Free Health Clinic, Moab Valley Multicultural Center, the Native American Club, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, Seekhaven and Youth Garden Project.

At WabiSabi’s stores customers may vote for one of the 15 organizations each time they make a purchase or a donation. The money awarded by WabiSabi is then distributed based on the percentage of votes each organization receives. The Moab Free Health Clinic received the largest award of $5,086 because the clinic received just over 21 percent of the total votes, according to the news release.

“Over 16,000 votes were cast between the two stores for the first half of this year,” said WabiSabi Executive Director Jeff Cohen. “This has increased considerably over the past few years as more and more people learn about how the voting helps local nonprofits.”

“WabiSabi’s support allows us to focus more on what we do – arts, education, and events – rather than on fundraising. It is unbelievably helpful,” MARC Director Laurie Collins said.

WabiSabi has been allocating its proceeds to nonprofits since its inception in 2003. To date, the program has donated $230,000 to sponsored non-profit partners. WabiSabi also provides material donations to organizations, a voucher system to reach people in immediate need, workshops designed to educate and strengthen area non-profits, educational programs for the community and hosts the community Thanksgiving, Christmas and Winter dinners through the Hands-up Program.

Sponsored non-profit partners are selected through an application process each fall, which is overseen by a subcommittee of the WabiSabi Board. A number of non-profit partners are chosen for each calendar year through that process, officials said.

Applications for 2013 WabiSabi Nonprofit Partners will be available Sept. 15. All area non-profits are encouraged to apply. For more information, contact the WabiSabi office at 435-259-2553 for more information.
Share This Article |

Copyright 2013 The Times-Independent. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

report abuse...

Express yourself:

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.