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A Hepworth-based clothing charity born of a thrift-shopping outing in Nashville just received a landmark donation
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Grey-Bruce’s 100 Women Who Care donated $40,000 to TenThirtyFive Grey-Bruce — a grassroots charity that supports at-risk youth and women through fashion and mentorship
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Ellie Farrow, TenThirtyFive Grey-Bruce’s president, said she first came across the TenThirtyFive thrift store in Nashville, where it was founded, while visiting friends
“We were going to this really cool vintage guitar store, and our friend told us about this really cool, beautiful thrift store next door, so we went and checked it out, and it was the nicest upscale thrift store I’ve ever seen in my life,” Farrow said. “The manager got us to come into the back and told us about what the mission is all about, and when we left Nashville I couldn’t get it out of my heart.”
Farrow and her husband Paul, who serves on the board of TenThirtyFive Grey-Bruce as the vice president, just sold the Sauble Golf and Country Club and had a decision to make
“Do I really want to come completely out of retirement and start this full-time charity? The answer was yes, yes I did,” Farrow said
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Founded by Angie Brantley, TenThirtyFive offers vouchers to youth and women who are invited to shop at the store for free
In Hepworth, at the TenThirtyFive location at 99 Queen St. E, below Cottage Crafters, a growing list of participants in the program receive $150 shopping vouchers every three months. They also receive new undergarments, socks, toiletries, and personal care items purchased directly by the organization
“It’s kind of the mainstay of our little boutique,” Farrow said
In 2025, 125 women took advantage of the voucher program. This year it’s 250 women, and that number is expected to double in 2027, Farrow said
“A lot of the people we see are going through pretty acute trauma, whether they’ve just left the sex trade or are transitioning from foster care into adult life . . . they have a lot of needs,” she said
TenThirtyFive Grey-Bruce is connected with 30 community partners that help them reach clients in need of support, particularly vulnerable youth, women, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community
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Farrow said the charity’s goal is to rebuild their clients’ confidence and dignity
“There are a lot of things in our lives that can tear down our confidence,” she said. “It’s needing to regain that feeling of, I can do this, my self-worth is stronger.”
That’s where the name TenThirtyFive comes from. Brantley took it from the bible, Hebrews 10:35, which says, “Do not throw away your confidence. It will be richly rewarded.”
TenThirtyFive Grey-Bruce receives donations of new and gently-used clothing and accessories from local businesses and community members
Farrow said the store is “blessed beyond measure” and that its customer base has increased since the announcement of the $40,000 donation
“They’re the people who help create our bread-and-butter,” said Farrow
Customers who shop at the boutique thrift store help pay the charity’s wages, rent, and other overhead costs, ensuring monetary donations can support the voucher program and the purchase of personal-care items and undergarments
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“It’s the people who come in and shop that make that happen. They’re the ones who give us that base of support,” Farrow said
Farrow said TenThirtyFive Grey-Bruce is using part of the $40,000 donation from Grey-Bruce’s 100 Women Who Care to partner with businesses and
TenThirtyFive Grey-Bruce recently partnered with Cheekbone Beauty, a Canadian cosmetics company founded by Jenn Harper, who will be on hand at the TenThirtyFive fashion show later this summer. Cheekbone Beauty is offering items to TenThirtyFive at a discounted, two-for-one rate, Farrow said
Farrow was also sure to credit the charity’s volunteers who are the “lifeblood” of the operation, and are now working hard to put on the charity’s fashion show and fundraiser set to take place on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Spring Creek Gravel Farm (562 Spring Creek Rd., South Bruce Peninsula)
Tickets are $30 and available at the boutique or online
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For more information on TenThirtyFive Grey-Bruce, visit www.tenthirtyfivegb.com
In a media release, the members of 100 Women Who Care said they are honoured to support the life-changing work of TenThirtyFive Grey-Bruce and the positive difference they make every day in the community
100 Women Who Care said they continue to welcome new members who are passionate about local philanthropy and community impact. By joining the collective giving circle, members can contribute to significant charitable donations four times each year and help strengthen the organizations that make Grey and Bruce Counties a better place to live
To learn more about 100 Women Who Care Grey Bruce, visit www.100womengreybruce.ca
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