Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE’s mission is to give a hand up by providing new clothing, shoes, bedding and personal care items to underprivileged and foster children, empowering them to become confident, constructive members of their commu-nity. We are a referral based nonprofit.

19376 Molalla Ave, Oregon City, OR 97045 - 503.320.0789 – info@bloominboutique.orgLike us on Facebook!

WELCOME TO OUR FIRST QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERThe Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE is thrilled to be launching its first quarterly newsletter, The Quarterly Bloom. We want to keep you abreast of the many wonderful activities, events, statistics and people involved in our organization to make it continue to bloom every day. We would love your feedback. Please email Patti Serres at info@bloominboutique.org.

WE LOVE LETTERS LIKE THIS!

Before you read the following words, ask yourself, “What does serving the community truly mean?”

I write this comment to you today as an educator within the Oregon City School District, more thankful than ever for the services of the Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE. The orga-nization that Patti Serres and her esteemed volunteers have orchestrated shine a bright light on the question highlighted above. It is through this outlet that, not only the students I serve on a daily basis receive some of the most basic clothing needs they deserve (many of which a lot of us take for granted), but more importantly children all across the district do as well.

While Patti and her organization are at the forefront of putting these packages together, I would be remiss to not mention the countless entities that have donated so many articles of clothing, pairs of shoes, school supplies, dental products -- among so many other things that play a vital role in a child’s life moving forward.

From my post as a public educator, please hear my voice I THANK YOU, and so do the children this organization serves. Whether it is through the donations of the gen-erous or the Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE organization, I end this message more humbled than ever to be a very small part in painting a smile on a child’s face when they receive their brand-new referral. My hope is this message will continue to inspire everyone involved to be the difference these children so desperately need.

VOLUNTEER – WE’D APPRECIATE IT! MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE IN 2020Did you know, Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE offers many oppor-tunities for volunteerism beginning at only one hour’s worth of time? The choice of time commitment is always yours with several opportunities available!

As we are now into 2020, perhaps you can become a part of the Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE? A very popular reso-lution is to volunteer and more specifically get involved in community. To help keep up volunteer momentum through the New Year, Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE offers many opportunities!

What are examples for volunteering? · Personal shopping· Boutique organizer· Technology· Special events· Communications· Construction projects

Who can volunteer? Anyone! Gather family and friends or make it a first date. We encourage students for community service hours as well as colleagues for team building.

Contact Patti Serres at info@bloominboutique.org to find out about volunteer openings.

OUR PROGRAMS

Our Bloomin’ Baby provides starter packages that include baby clothing, a blanket and gift cards for diapers and formula to mom’s with new babies.

Our Summer Get-Away Package supports foster kids by providing a sleeping bag, pillow, backpack, toiletries and summer clothes so they can truly enjoy their time at summer camp.

Our Cap and Gown Assistance Program pays the bill to outfit high school graduates with their cap and gown so they can confidently celebrate this momentous occasion with their peers.

A MEASURABLE FEETLast year, if every sock was lined up toe to heal that Bloomin’ BOU-TIQUE packaged for its referrals, it would measure over one mile long! Now, this is measurable giving. Socks are always needed and appreciated.

BE THE CHANGE. GIVE CHANGE.Several businesses that are affiliated with the Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE offer change cans on their counters. Your donated change becomes the action of change for the youth we serve! We thank Citizen’s Bank, On Point Credit Union, Serres Garden Center and Pioneer Pizza, all in Oregon City.

Citizen’s Bank and On Point Credit Union change converted into three new pairs of shoes! Be the change helping to pur-chase both necessities and niceties provided to hundreds of youth each year. Would your business like a collection bank? Please contact Patti Serres at info@bloominboutique.org.

CHILDREN SERVED LAST QUARTER OF 2019The Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE is so thrilled about the children we serve every day, every quarter, every year. Here is how many we served the last quarter of 2019: 228 chil-dren in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.

Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE’s seven ways to donate!

1. Cash donation

2. Attend an event

3. Sponsor a child

4. Host a NEW clothing drive

5. Donate NEW clothing

6. Contribute Fred Meyer Rewards

7. Collect bottles and cans via Bottle Drop

Contact Patti Serres at info@bloominboutique.org for

further information.

Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE is grateful for its helpers offering precious time to carry out the mission. It is a treat to introduce members of the team!

BRIAN ALLEN, Founding Board Member. A native Oregonian, Brian has been a member of the Board of Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE for the past year. He has served on several boards of for-profit and non-profit organizations, greatly appreciating the self-less dedication and efforts of all those associated with the mission of Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE.

Mr. Allen earned Bachelor of Science and M.B.A degrees from the University of Oregon. He married his high school sweetheart, who recently passed away after their 48th wedding anniversary. He was an Army officer with service in Vietnam. Brian’s business career included several years as a man-ager with Hyster Company, after which he was the founder and president of Compu-Time, Inc. He is a self-proclaimed “marginal” golfer. He spends as much time as he can shuffling between Seattle and Sacramento visiting family.

“I appreciate that Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE has policies and procedures in place that ensure fairness and consistency in providing new clothes to referred, deserving kids. The stories of the “boost” to self- esteem are numerous and heartwarming. Who knows how positive the effect a pair of new shoes or school outfit may be on the future of a child! I enjoy doing occasional “personal shopping” for a referral and helping-out wherever I can. Being around the positivity of the volunteers leaves me feeling honored to be associated with such caring people. I look forward to an exciting, rewarding year ahead for Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE.”

DAWN ASHPOLE. Dawn came to Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE near-ly two years ago through a volunteer board posted at her church. She came offering her time and talent of 25 years’ experience with QuickBooks. Her 10 hours a month is spent capturing referral stats and showing trends as well as bookkeeping. Dawn’s family is glad for her find the BOUTIQUE in her retirement. So much so, one of her daughters and grandsons become a personal shopping team for 11-year-old boys! It wasn’t until volunteering with Bloomin BOUTIQUE Dawn realized how great the need, which continually “blows her away”. When asked if she had a message to share Dawn included, “It doesn’t take much to make a big difference in the life of a child.”

MINDY BROWN. Mindy is the penmanship behind the thank you! Mindy is honored to helm this donor relationship by writing sincere gratitude’s in a timely manner. She also looks forward to special projects, such as the twice annual partner event with North-west Market Association. She experiences the bonus of how much fun is naturally felt alongside other volunteers within the nonprofit. Mindy is attracted to the policies and procedures in place by the board members assisting the BOUTIQUE to carry out its mission with consistency. As Mindy is hopeful the nonprofit continues gaining community awareness and support, so it can help any child in need. Her grandchildren also take part in the nonprofit’s efforts instilling giving back can happen at any age or at any level.

SHARE AND TELLJill is an exceptional young person who has faced countless barriers throughout her 16 years. Her father is a fugitive living in Alaska and Jill’s homeless is extremely difficult.

Recently Jill had a lot of success at a live-in high school completion program. Jill lost 20 pounds and completed her GED. Upon arrival home, she had no clothes that fit. She was welcomed into the beautiful Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE as if it had been waiting for Jill forever. The volunteer spent over an hour with Jill picking her out new clothes including a beautiful black dress, which she adored. Jill was treated to an experience that made her feel special and loved. When she got into the car, she told her advocate that this visit had been the best thing to happen to her in a long time.

– Families Affected by Incarceration Program, Northwest Family Services

GRATITUDE

Thank you to Brian Allen, Board director, and Patti Serres, Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE Executive Director, for hosting this year’s volunteer appreciation party! It was a great time of togetherness with a photo booth and delicious lunch. It is always a treat to gather our volunteers to show our appreciation for their love and dedication to our organization. Lunch was prepared by Brian’s sister, Lynn Scheller, and her daughter Erin. We are so very grateful for Lynn and Erin’s beautiful contribution to our special event.

YEAR-END GIVING CAMPAIGN

Thank you to all who donated to Bloomin’ BOUTIQUE’s year-end giving campaign! In total the Bloomin’ BOU-TIQUE received $26,071 in cash gifts – all that came in from our website! Can you believe that these funds came in the last two weeks in December 2019? How exciting! We wouldn’t be able to continue the work of our mission without the community’s – and your -- financial support. Your donation is already making a difference! We can’t thank you enough!

UPCOMING BLOOMIN’ BOUTIQUE EVENTS

Classic Car show sponsored by Serres Farms

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Annual Auction at Gray GablesFriday, September 11, 2020

Marketplace at Serres FarmsSaturday and Sunday,

September 19 and 20, 2020

554 ........ Coats3878 ...... Socks1108 ...... Pants2770 ...... Underwear554 ........ Shoes400 ........ Backpacks554 ........ Bedding2770 ...... Shirts400 ........ Toiletries

plus school supplies,PJs, pillowcases, hats, gloves

554KIDS

With your help, Bloomin’ Boutique provided NEW clothes to554 Clackamas County children during their 2018/2019�scal year along with an additional 59 kids in Multnomah andWashington Counties... thank you for your support!

accepting donations of NEW CLOTHES - ALL SIZES - boys, girls, infants, K-12

BloominBoutique.orgNon-Pro�t 501(c)(3) • Tax ID #83-2157929serving underprivileged Oregon youths residing in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties

SUPPORTa local child!

FIRST QUARTER STATS: October - December 2019Just three months into our new �scal year, we have already prepared care packagesfor 228 children from Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties!This was made possible by our donors and volunteers for an estimate of $79,800.Our dedicated volunteers worked an astounding 1179 hours! Thank you!!! Where futures blossom and confidence grows

Bloomin Boutique’