How you can shop for a good cause this weekend

The Little Exchange will host its Annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 45 Park Avenue in the Shops of Oakwood. The open house is the major fundraising event of the year for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit and will debut the boutique’s new Christmas merchandise and holiday décor.

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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THIS BOUTIQUE

“Shop for a Cause” is the boutique’s motto because it doubles as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting Dayton Children’s Hospital. Staffed by nearly 100 volunteers, the shop is located in the Shops of Oakwood and has donated over $1.5 million to the hospital over the past 65 years.

Specifically, profits from The Little Exchange are donated to Dayton Children’s Family Resource Connection program, designed by Dayton Children’s Center for Child Health and Wellness to help address families’ non-medical issues that have an impact on health.

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“A significant portion of a child’s health is determined by his or her environment and behaviors,” says Jessica Saunders, Director of the Center of Child Health and Wellness. “The Family Resource Connection works to address the social needs such as healthy food, safe housing and commodities such as diapers and school supplies to remove barriers so families can focus on their child’s health.”

She says the shop is a tremendous supporter of the program.

“From assisting with operating dollars to supporting our incredible staff to providing diapers, underwear, socks and school supplies for our patient families, the Little Exchange is a true partner.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Shop for a cause at Holiday Open House

The Little Exchange’s Annual Holiday Open House is the major fund-raising event of the year and will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5.

The shop stocks custom-designed trees, garlands and wreaths, unusual ornaments and decorations, holiday serve-ware, and an assortment of women’s accessories for the season. You’ll also find scarves, books, tea towels, stationery, children’s toys and a wide variety of other gifts and stocking stuffers.

To learn more about the Holiday Open House or to volunteer at the shop, visit www.thelittleexchange.org or call (937) 299-1561. For more information about The Family Resource Connection, call (937) 641-3700 or visit www.childrensdayton.org.

Some of the most common needs identified in the program include out-of-school resources for children — food, school supplies and baby supplies. In addition to the shop’s monetary donations, The Little Exchange is collecting the following items to give to the program.

Donate supplies

Here’s what they need:

Items can be dropped off during store hours at The Little Exchange from Nov. 10 through Dec. 20. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. It's located at 45 Park Avenue in the Shops of Oakwood.