The PINK Women’s club at the University of Rhode Island gave secondhand clothing a fresh chance to shine in time for spring, with their second annual Thrift and Sip, where they served razzbulls and held a thrift stand on Wednesday.
“The purpose is to raise money for a nonprofit for ICE detainees to reunite with their families,” PINK Women Community Service Chair Arghennis Disla said. “The point is to sell clothes, drinks and everything.”
The clothing items were obtained through donations by members of the organization, according to Event Coordinator Sophia Dosaneo.
“Friends and family of people in [PINK Women] all donated clothes and we sorted through them and gave prices out,” Dosaneo said.
The philanthropy connects very personally to members of the PINK women community, as they have met and gotten to know victims of ICE, according to Dosaneo.
“PINK is a multi-cultural organization, and I know personally a lot of my friends have been affected by what’s going on with ICE right now,” Dosaneo said. “So that’s why I decided to make it the charity that we fundraise for.”
The event was meant to spread awareness about ICE’s separation program, with hopes of bringing attention to victims by drawing students in with razzbulls and a shopping experience, Dosaneo said.
“It was just really important to me to spread awareness and to also fundraise for the cause,” Dosaneo said. “Because it’s something that’s so close to me and my friends and family, my loved ones.”
The event was a success in helping students find a sustainable source of clothing for upcoming events during the summer and spring, according to first-year Hope Clemence.
“I thought the event was super fun, I think more people should thrift because it’s a great way to find pieces that are affordable and it’s a lot better for the environment than buying from fast fashion companies,” Clemence said. “PINK Women did a great job of compiling a clothes selection and I’m really excited to see what they have to offer in the fall semester.”
The PINK Women student organization is planning on hosting a Sip and Zip matcha event, featuring an exclusive PINK Women matcha drink on Wednesday in order to close out Women’s History Month.
