Seine-et-Marne: In Coulommiers, the Vestiboutique of the Red Cross has reopened<

By Ann Marie Kornek Published on Le Pays Briard See my news

A little far from the town center of Coulommiers, more precisely in the pedestrian zone of Vaux, hides a little gem of Briard solidarity: the Vestiboutique de la Croix-Rouge. Installed in brand new premises, a few steps from the nursery and the school, this thrift store sees people of all colors pass by: mothers who are waiting for their little ones after school, local residents and even people from all over Brie.

The Red Cross anticipated the opening

“This year, we are opening the store early. Many people came to see us to say that they found it a shame that we only reopened at the start of the school year. Christine Darras, president of the Red Cross in Coulommiers, tells us that this is the first time that the solidarity shop has opened so early. A test, which could also serve for the years to come: “If we feel that this early opening allows us to raise more funds, we will adapt our summer hours accordingly. So that everything is ready, in the solidarity shop located in the heart of the pedestrian zone in Vaux, Christine Darras has been busy this summer.

New clothes at bargain prices

Instead of going on vacation, she prepared for the start of the Vestiboutique: cleaning the premises, sorting the linen, washing the clothes and shelving the clothes for the autumn/winter season. The charity shop sells cheap clothes: you can find new men's suits at around €5, summer dresses at €3 or even costumes. Promotions also allow you to buy, for example, three sweaters at 2 €. The clothes come mostly from individuals, but not only: “La Halle and especially E.Leclerc are very generous. They regularly give us new clothes that we then sell in our shop,” explains the president.

Volunteers dedicated to sorting donations

In Coulommiers, about thirty volunteers work for the Red Cross, including three to eight in the Vestiboutique. Since last week, they have been preparing for the reopening of its doors on August 21. After receiving the clothes, the team is responsible for checking them one by one. “When the clothes are in very good condition, but a button is missing or the hem needs to be redone, a volunteer seamstress takes care of these small imperfections,” says Christine Darras. Clothes that are in poor condition or too old-fashioned, however, will not find their way to the Vestiboutique. “Our goal is also to offer clothes that people like. But there is no question of throwing the items away: they will be donated to the Horizons association in Meaux or to Tisséco, which will know how to give them a second life beyond the Red Cross.

€11,500 in aid for 83 families in 2017

For Christine Darras, the attractiveness of the shop also means that it offers items that can potentially appeal to its customers: birth gifts, toys, shoes, crockery and of course, clothes. There is something for all tastes and all brands. “We also have quality clothes, like “Un Jour Ailleurs” or “Jacqueline RIU”. Just because they're sold cheap doesn't mean the clothes are of lower quality or outdated,” she adds.

Help the underprivileged with funds raised

The money from the sales of the Vestiboutique is then used to help Columériens in precarious situations: in 2017, the Red Cross was able to help 83 families. The funds are used to cover rent, electricity bills, meals in the canteen, bailiff's fees and many other expenses that people in need struggle to cover. As of June 30 of this year, the Red Cross had already disbursed more than €5,000.00 to financially support 37 households in Coulommiers.

Practical information :

Red Cross clothing store

Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Except school holidays)

Address :

4, alley of the Rotunda

Residence Auvergne, opposite the OPH

Rue de Vaux

77120 Coulommiers

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