'Exchange-O-Rama' Clothing Swap Benefits Charity

It is said that one person’s trash is another’s treasure.

This old adage will hold true during Exchange-O-Rama, held April 13 at the Hampton Inn in Wesley Chapel. A benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, participants bring gently used clothing and household items they no longer want and then “shop” for goods that others have donated.

Attendees must provide donations and are required to pay $20 (in advance; otherwise it’s $30 at the door) to take part in the swap.

Co-organizer Loran Tripp, of event sponsor Latitude 27 Marketing, said attendees may take home as many bags of goodies as they brought in.

Any items left over will be donated to the East and Central Pasco Habitat for Humanity. The event will help reduce clutter for many participants, Tripp said.

“The reality is we all need to clean out our closets,” Tripp said.

The event is geared toward women. Items expected to be donated are clothing, purses, shoes, household goods and more. Tripp said the Hampton Inn, which is providing the space for the event, will block off eight rooms at the hotel to separate the items.

Participants who RSVP before April 10 pay the $20 fee. After that, the cost is $30. Hampton Inn at at 2740 Cypress Ridge Blvd. in Wesley Chapel.

The event begins at 10:30 a.m. with the unloading of merchandise. Then, from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. participants can “shop.” A “best in show” activity will conclude the event.

For more information, or to sign up as a participant, visit http://www.mwoy.org/pages/sun/sun13/dkaplan on the web or email  loran@latitude27marketing.com.