UPDATE - 7/20
WYMN Collective's 3rd annual Style Swap event held at the Gym of Tucson was a success Sunday afternoon.
Jade Blair, founder of WYMN Collective, said this event has only gotten bigger and it’s thanks to the community who contributed in some way, shape or form.
Blair says over 800 pieces of clothing were donated and more than 100 people came out to shop with no worry about costs.
31 people also took advantage of the free haircuts.
Charlinda Haudley was shopping not only for herself, but also friends. She said she's pleased to see sections for all ages and genders.
“Last year they didn’t have the children’s clothing and they didn’t have free haircuts and I talked about how I appreciate seeing that within the community because a lot of times, a lot of families can’t afford kid clothes," Haudley said. "And kid clothes that are really expensive, like newborn clothes are really expensive.”
This was Jamie Leon-Guerrero's first time at WYMN Collective's Style Swap and enjoyed all that it had to offer.
“Oh my gosh I had such a good time. They were doing free haircuts so I got a trim and I have some really cool winter stuff," Leon-Guerrero said.
Once the style swap was over, volunteers helped bag the remaining clothing and shoes to donate to Aviva Children’s Services.
"The community helps out. We can't do this without them. It takes a village," Blair said.
She says she's already looking for a larger space to hold Style Swap next year because the event is only growing.
WYMN Collective's next event will be held on November 9 called Conquer the Hill.
"It's a free event where we walk up Tumamoc as a community and come down to represent what we face and just coming together and building friendships and building bonds," Blair said.
Learn more about WYMN Collective and its future events by following on Instagram @wymncollective.
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It’s already that time to go back to school and an organization called the WYMN Collective is helping to make shopping a little easier.
The WYMN Collective is hosting its 3rd annual Style Swap event for the community of all ages to come and shop for free on Sunday July 20 at The Gym of Tucson (4140 W Ina Rd) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jade Blair, founder of WYMN Collective, says if you have clothes you no longer want or need that are in good condition with no rips, stains or smells — you can donate to the cause.
“So they get that experience of having new clothing, something fresh, something, you know, cool if they wanna change up their style and they don’t have to worry about the financial aspect of it. They can just come and shop for free," Blair said.
Clothing and shoe donations are still being accepted for children, teens, women and men at five different locations.
- The Gym of Tucson - 4140 W Ina Rd Unit 118
- Cultivate Real - 7493 N Oracle Rd Unit 130
- The Arena - 9013 E Old Vail Rd Unit 105
- Dumbbell Lab - 2922 E 22nd St.
- Move Pilates - 329 W Franklin St.
This year, three stylists will also be giving free haircuts.
"We have about 22 to 28 slots available the day of the event," Blair said. "First come first serve, so you wanna get here early if you want a haircut."
You are encouraged to bring your own shopping bags.
Blair is asking for more volunteers to help set up on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. at the Gym of Tucson and help break down on Sunday after the event.
The items that are leftover will be donated to other organizations in Tucson.
"So women's recovery centers, children centers, men centers, Gospel Rescue Mission is usually where we go with the men," Blair said.
She says she would not be able to do this without the community's help.
You can reach out to Blair on Instagram @wymncollective if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.
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Vanessa Gongora is KGUN 9's Westside reporter.. Vanessa fell in love with storytelling by growing up in sports. She was fascinated by how sports reporters go beyond the x's & o's to tell players' stories, and how sports bring people together, inspiring Vanessa to provide the same impact as a journalist. Share your story ideas and important issues with Vanessa by emailing vanessa.gongora@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
