By Lisa Herrick
Downtown Olympia welcomes hundreds of women to Girls Night Out – a festive occasion throughout the day and evening that includes an extravaganza of shopping, raffle prizes, promotional discounts and entertainment. In its seventh year, the Olympia Downtown Association (ODA) originally designed this event to entice community members downtown to enjoy fun activities and shopping at local businesses while supporting select community causes. Since its inception, Girls Night Out has enjoyed resounding success with an increasing number of women of all ages coming downtown, a growing amount of businesses participating, and a greater amount of proceeds directed to help important causes in our community.
This year’s event takes place on Friday, May 15 when downtown Olympia will be afloat with pink balloons. Kim Combs, ODA Event and Volunteer Coordinator shares, “Along with many anchor retailers who have been with us from the beginning such as Archibald Sisters, Belleza Ropa, Courtyard Antiques, Drees, The Popinjay, Red Door Interiors and Selden’s, this year we welcome several ‘new’ downtown businesses. Joining this year are Captain Little, Lola Lifestyle Boutique, Little General Food Shop, The Two Sisters Tea Room and Three Magnets Brewing Company. Other retailers who will be showing off new locations are Encore Chocolates & Teas, Marchetti Wines and Olympia Gear Exchange. We have over 50 retailers participating.”
SideWalk, a local non-profit organization focused on ending homelessness in Thurston County, will receive a portion of the proceeds from the goodie bag sales. Phil Owen, SideWalk Director, shares “We are extremely grateful for the support of the Olympia Downtown Association. In addition to their contributions through Girls Night Out, the ODA co-sponsored a March event with The Washington Center for the Performing Arts that raised nearly $5,000. These dollars assist SideWalk’s mission to end homelessness, which is only possible with the partnership of our local business community.”
Craig Holt, ODA Board President and owner of The Other Guys, Inc. concurs. “The ODA is pleased to have the opportunity to partner with SideWalk to help end homelessness in our downtown. They are a fantastic organization that, using their proven model, gets people off of the streets quickly and redirects them to a better life which is a goal shared by both organizations.”
SideWalk’s proven model of community engagement and rapid rehousing has shown remarkable results such as the milestone reached last August of housing 200 clients in 21 months. SideWalk’s efficacy is further evidenced by the recently released critical Point in Time (PIT) results, which reported overall homelessness reduced by 21% in one year, unsheltered homelessness reduced by 38% in one year and chronic homelessness reduced by 62% in two years.
Both SideWalk and the ODA are hopeful for the support that Girls Night Out will bring downtown businesses and efforts to end homelessness in our community. Girls Night Out has experienced an increase in goodie bag sales each year. The event has gone from approximately 250 in the inaugural year to over 700 at last year’s event. In 2014, revenue brought into downtown Olympia during this one day event totaled approximately $44,000. In the last two years alone, the ODA has presented $6,500 in proceeds to area non-profit partners. Past causes have included YWCA – The Other Bank, the Downtown Graffiti Management Program, SafePlace, Thurston County Food Bank, Olympia Artspace Alliance, Olympia Union Gospel Mission and Behavioral Health Resources.
“Girls Night Out is an amazing opportunity on so many level,” shares Combs. “Since the purchase of goodie bags goes directly to a non-profit everyone is making a difference in the community and every dime spent in downtown Olympia during Girls Night Out directly benefits our local businesses. And, Girls Night Out has become a time honored tradition where girlfriends, families and co-workers all enjoy being together downtown.”
“The Salazar family is one of my favorite parts of Girls Night Out,” continues Combs. “The Salazar’s were rarely able to get all of the siblings together, but Girls Night Out was the one time of year they could manage to make that happen. Sadly, a couple years ago they lost one of the sisters. Last year, in honor of her they all showed up at the reception in matching t-shirts. A heartwarming story like that is why Girls Night Out has become one of the ODA’s hallmark events.”
On the day of Girls Night Out just look for the pink balloons and event posters identifying the many participating businesses. One raffle ticket will be distributed for every $10 spent at participating businesses. The evening concludes with a reception at The Washington Center. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and the reception starts at 8:30 p.m., although you do not need to be present to win in the raffle. Small plates will be available for a minimal fee as well as a no host bar.
$12 tickets and goodie bags are currently on sale for the May 15 event at the Olympia Downtown Association, Courtyard Antiques, Lily’s What to Where Boutique, and Vivala until May 14. The cost will increase to $15 the day of the event. Tickets and goodie bags can also be purchased by calling 360-357-8948.
For more information visit the Girls Night Out Facebook Page or the ODA website or call 360-357-8948.
