During her life, the late Molly Lewis had so much compassion for other women in need of help that she initiated a fundraiser that is now benefitting the YWCA Bradford.
After Lewis died in January, her close friends, friends at the YW and those with Small Town Girl Boutique created Molly’s Mission, which raises funds for brand-new clothing for women who need help dressing for the workplace.
On Tuesday, owners of the boutique, Kristina Luzzi and Pamela Rinfrette, donated 200 pieces of new clothing acquired through community and business donations, as well as clothing from the boutique for the YW’s clothing programs. The donation comprised 200 pieces of clothes ranging from dresses, shirts, sweaters and leggings for women. The total value of the clothing was $6,500.
Luzzi said $1,500 of the funds used to purchase the clothing was donated by local residents and the online business community from multiple states. The boutique made up the difference by purchasing clothes from the donations as well as providing 55 additional articles of clothing.
Visiting the small boutique at Luzzi’s property on Tuesday were Lewis’ parents, Donald and Sandee Pistner of Bradford.
“I didn’t know that (Molly) was planning this,” Sandee Pistner said of her late daughter’s fundraising initiatives. Also on-hand were Lewis’ two best friends, Doreen Neel and Jodi McCool, as well as Neel’s daughter, Madison. Lewis and her two friends were often referred to as the “three amigos.”
In looking back at the early stages of the project, Luzzi said she and Rinfrette met Lewis in 2017 when they asked her if she would be a model in their fashion show that raised money and awareness for the YW. In turn, Lewis asked the boutique owners if they would discount some of their clothing items and request donations from the public to purchase pieces of new clothing that would be provided to women helped by the YW programs. While Lewis died before she could see her mission fulfilled, her friends have ensured it would come to fruition.
Rinfrette said the project defined Lewis, who was a licensed social worker and cared for adults and children during her life. In addition to FCI-McKean, Lewis had also worked for Bradford Regional Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Department and Cattaraugus Community Action in Olean, N.Y. She left behind a young son, and many friends and family who “miss her dearly.”
“This was essentially who Molly was — Molly was a very giving person,” Rinfrette explained. “I didn’t know her for very long, but I’m sure glad I did get to know her because she was an amazing person.”
Vanessa Castano, executive director of the YW, said she was very pleased with the donation.
“I just think this is amazing,” Castano said while looking at the racks of new clothing. “To be able to take a very difficult and tragic event and turn it into something that is beautiful is heartwarming and a blessing.”
Angela Erway, YW development and marketing director, said the clothes will be used at the Professional Clothing Closet at First Presbyterian Church which houses the YW’s clothes, as well as at the YW on West Corydon Street for women living in the facility’s shelters.
Luzzi said the two-year-old boutique operates online, has a website at www.smalltowngirl.boutique, has local shop hours by appointment and multiple lines of quality clothing, accessories and jewelry purchased from various wholesalers. Their email is smalltowngirlboutique814@gmail.com for additional information.
On a final note, Luzzi and Rinfrette said they plan to continue Molly’s Mission for the YW in the future with distribution of clothes for women in need during the holiday season.
