Girls Inc. Launches “Sweater Weather Swap & Shop” to Empower Local Girls

This fall, Girls Inc. of Columbus & Phenix-Russell is inviting the community to “turn closets into change” through its first-ever Sweater Weather Swap & Shop, a resale and boutique market that blends entrepreneurship, empowerment, and community giving.

The event will take place Saturday, Nov. 15, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Baker Center, 3536 Levy Road, in Columbus. Community members are encouraged to participate as vendors or shoppers, knowing their involvement directly supports local girls through Girls Inc.’s transformative programs.

For a $100 vendor table, participants can sell gently used clothing, accessories, home décor, or handmade items — keeping all of their proceeds — while funding one girl’s monthly program and transportation fees. Each table sold covers the cost for a girl to attend after-school programs that nurture academic achievement, leadership, and personal growth.

“Every table sponsors a girl,” said Danita Gibson Lloyd, CEO of Girls Inc. of Columbus & Phenix-Russell. “When community members participate in this event, they make it possible for us to deliver our Strong, Smart & Bold programs to more girls — empowering them to dream bigger, think deeper, and achieve more.”

The market will feature an array of local vendors, unique bargains, and concessions provided by Girls Inc. staff and volunteers. Girls Inc. participants — affectionately known as “Community Daughters” — will also take part as greeters and brand ambassadors, sharing their experiences and welcoming guests.

The event is being organized in partnership with FAITH (Feeding Accepting Inspiring the Hurting) and Program Chair Alfreta Gibson, who is leading vendor recruitment and community engagement.

“It’s exciting to see our community come together for a cause that directly impacts girls’ lives,” Gibson said. “Every table, every vendor, and every shopper helps fuel opportunity.”

Girls Inc. of Columbus & Phenix-Russell serves hundreds of girls each year through after-school, summer, and leadership programs across the Chattahoochee Valley. The nonprofit provides transportation, healthy meals, and research-based programming that focuses on academic success, wellness, and leadership development.

The Sweater Weather Swap & Shop is one of several community fundraisers Girls Inc. plans this year to support its Strong, Smart & Bold® mission — while promoting sustainability, service, and sisterhood.

Event at a Glance

What: Girls Inc. Sweater Weather Swap & Shop
When: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 | 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Baker Center, 3536 Levy Rd., Columbus, GA 31903
Vendor Fee: $100 (includes one table and two chairs)
Impact: Each table funds one girl’s monthly program and transportation
Vendor Registration: tinyurl.com/sweaterweather2025