Hope often comes in small packages with a little support. Seeking a way to bolster that support, Affinity Wealth Advisory Group gathered women professionals recently to highlight the needs of valley women exiting homelessness and regaining independence.

Private wealth advisor Renee Hanson is a founding member of the Women in Service and Hope committee supporting the missions of St. Vincent de Paul. She is also a regular contributor at both Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and Sojourner Center. When planning the practice’s community outreach activities for 2019 she uncovered a need that is often overlooked by donors – women’s undergarments. A plan was put in place to host a donation drive and event to gather at least 500 new and gently-used bras to help clothe women preparing for job interviews. The drive ended with a tea event where attendees learned more about the missions of these organizations and met other civic-minded professionals. It was an uplifting experience for all involved, resulting in nearly 600 bras and counting as word gets out about the need.

Plans are underway to host the event on an annual basis every October which happens to be breast cancer awareness month. Next year’s lofty goal is 1,000!

It truly is a community-wide effort and could not have happened without the support of the sponsors who donated gifts for prizes, the donors (including the women of WISH,) family, friends, and colleagues. For information on how you can be involved in Dignity Drive 2020, contact Kim Hoppens at 602-923-9800 or [email protected].