Cross Keys Merchants Collect for Favorite Charities

Rosemary Schneider knows what its like to have a child diagnosed with cancer.

Her son beat the disease 26 years ago.

"My heart goes out to any family who have had a child suffer from a horrific illness," Schneider said. "It’s a parent’s worst nightmare."

That’s why Schneider and her mother Kathryn DeVincentis, the owners of decided to collect cash contributions for Children’s Cancer Foundation as part of the Cross Keys Cares Community Support program.

Merchants at the Village of Cross Keys chose charities to support in a variety of ways from April 19 to 28.

Last year Pied Piper, a children’s clothing store, collected about $300 in cash donations for the Children’s Cancer Foundation, and the store will also give customers a gift enclosure card for a $1 donation.

"This is a very good and worthy cause," Schneider said.

Patti Bavis-Puller, president of , has chose to support Suited to Succeed, a charity that helps women find clothes to find jobs. According to Bavis-Puller, Chezelle specializes sizes for larger women, something the charity is in need of, so it’s a good fit.

Customers who drop off gently used clothing also will receive 20 percent off—with some exceptions—merchandise in the store.

"I always think if we can’t help each other who can we help?" she said.

Chezelle has been collecting clothes for Suited to Succeed for the past eight years. She said that the drive has often been so successful that she’s had to drop off three or four car loads in her Toyota Highlander to the charity. Other stores such as , as well as Octavia II are also collecting clothes for Suited for Success.

 Other Participating stores:

• Jean Pool is collecting gently worn jeans for the Girls' Empowerment Mission.
• Caldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is collecting gently used household items, kitchen wares, electronics, computers books and tools for Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake.
• is collecting gently worn clothes and cash donations for House of Ruth.
• are collecting old eye-glasses for the Lions Club.
• is collecting non-perishable food items for the Maryland Food Bank.
• Gore Dean Home Collection is collecting cash donations for Squashwise. 
• The Store Ltd. is collecting gently used books for The Book Thing. 

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