During the month of October for every scarf Here on the Corner, a local clothing store off of College Avenue and University Drive, sells it will donate a scarf to Singleton Moms, a non-profit organization in Phoenix for single moms with cancer. (Photo by Shawn Raymundo)
Here on the Corner, a small boutique on University Drive and College Avenue near the Tempe campus, has teamed up with an organization to donate scarves to single parents affected by cancer.
Julie Kent, the store's owner, partnered with Singleton Moms, an organization that aims to provide families with financial and emotional assistance, because she has been affected by cancer personally.
“I was raised by a single parent with cancer,” she said.
Additionally, when Kent's close friend was diagnosed with cancer, she sent her scarves to help.
“I sent her some stuff from the store, and she was really excited about (the scarves),” she said.
Dance education senior Alli Dodt, an employee at the Here on the Corner, said Julie's friend liked the scarves more than wearing wigs.
"It makes her feel more feminine and more beautiful ... than wearing just fake hair," she said. "The scarves are more comforting than just a wig."
This prompted Kent to find an organization that she could personally help using the wardrobe from her boutique.
“(Singleton Moms) support single parents with cancer raising children,” Kent said. “I just felt that this was the perfect organization.”
The organization was created in 2006 after the founders’ close friend, who was a single mother with cancer, passed away.
Throughout October, Here on the Corner will donate a scarf to charity for every one it sells.
“So much attention is focused on Susan G. Komen, which is awesome, but I chose a smaller organization,” Kent said. “They’re involved in the families’ lives in a practical and important way.”
Kent said instead of raising money to cure cancer, organizations such as Singleton Moms go into homes to help broken families, which often has more direct impact on the patients.
With chemotherapy bills, the family may be tight on money, and the parents are often drained of both physical and emotional strength.
“They offer home cooked meals (and) pay bills," Kent said. “They have a closet where people can come get things they need.”
This closet includes scarves.
Halfway through October, 19 scarves have been sold.
“I’m selling more scarves than I normally sell,” Kent said.
Dodt said that as Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, the boutique is going to push the philanthropy angle and attempt to sell two to three a day.
Dance senior Emily Alvarez, who has worked at Here on the Corner for nearly two years, said Singleton Moms was a relatable organization for the owner, employees and the customers.
“We can relate to having family that has kids who have been raised by single parents or had families who have been struck with cancer,” she said.
The boutique has a history of assisting worthy causes, Alvarez said.
“We’re not just a boutique,” Alvarez said. “We ... have a heart for these kinds of causes and, in any way we can, we like to lend out a hand.”
The store has also worked with TOMS One Day Without Shoes and played host to an ASU business fashion club’s grand opening.
“We try to engage students in the community as best we can,” Alvarez said.
The boutique also carries apparel and accessories produced locally.
Similar to Singleton Moms, the store takes pride in helping the community in any way they can.
“There’s organizations like these that are in the homes, helping out families,” Kent said.
Reach the reporter at lmnewma1@asu.edu, or on Twitter @Logan_Newsman
