(CBS-DETROIT) — On the Wings of Angels is a local nonprofit organization that provides resources and support to victims of domestic violence.
Thanks to an overwhelming number of donations from the community, the organization set up a “store” in Troy where survivors could get the items they needed for free.
Volunteers from the Domestic Survivor Only Free Shopping Day event helped people, like Annette Diamond-Weiler, with their bags.
“I had a checklist of the things I needed. I needed a winter coat because my coat wouldn’t zip up anymore,” Diamond-Weiler said.
A personal shopper helped Diamond-Weiler find what she was looking for.
“The first jacket I tried on fit me beautifully,” Diamond-Weiler said.
That personal shopper was Gjyzela, also a domestic violence survivor and volunteer.
‘Two winter coats and two pairs of boots. She has some nice ones to wear at Christmas and some walking jackets for outdoors. I mean, it was just, I don’t know. It just fills my heart with joy,” Gjyzela said.
It all started with a social media post from JoJo Dries, founder of the nonprofit.
“I posted that I needed some clothes for a survivor that day. Then about a hundred people responded and said, ‘Hey, we have clothes. We want to donate,'” Dries said.
So many items were collected that a warehouse was converted into a makeshift store with not only coats, but also personal hygiene products, blankets, items for children and much more.
“The only thing that most victims come out of that situation with is their clothes on their back, even if that’s sometimes the case. And to be able to shop here safely and discover what, I mean, this is great,” Gjyzela said.
What was initially a one-day event will continue in the future.
“We’re even thinking about doing it maybe once a month, where you can come out once a month. So you see winter. We also have a whole room with spring and summer items,” Dries said. .
Thanks to the community’s generosity, survivors and their children have everything they need to move forward.
“I went through my list and got everything I needed. I’m so grateful for everyone who was a part of it,” Diamond-Weiler said.
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