October 3, 2007

Global Village Collection Celebrates 15^th Anniversary

Lynn Cook, a volunteer at Global Village Collection, straightens merchandise at the Delaware store. A 15th anniversary store celebration/earthquake relief fundraiser is set for October 20.

But the store provides something else, too. As a member of the Fair Trade Federation, Global Village Collection provides fair wages, safe working conditions, and expanded employment opportunities to low-income artisans and farmers worldwide.

“The store is dedicated to helping people live better lives,” says Patricio Plazolles, president of the board of directors for Global Village Collection, 37 N. Sandusky St.

To help keep operating costs low, the store is staffed entirely by volunteers, says Plazolles, who also serves as program officer for Ohio Wesleyan University’s Woltemade Center for Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship.

“Many students volunteer at the store,” Plazolles says. “They are a key element to its survival. Members of the Ohio Wesleyan and Delaware communities work at the store and serve on the board, too. This consistent commitment has allowed Global Village Collection to make a difference for 15 years.”

One of those volunteers is Delaware resident Lynn Cook, who not only helped to found Global Village Collection, but who remains passionate about its mission more than a decade later.

“Justice would be the thing,” says Cook, explaining what keeps her motivated. “Trade is better than aid in the long term. Stability is better than instability. And then there’s human dignity.”

She also loves the intricate artwork that fills the store, including handmade purses, scarves, jewelry, pottery, and wall hangings.

“Of course,” she says as she arranges and straightens displays, “nobody gets helped till something is sold.”

And so to celebrate 15 years of sales and artisan support, Global Village Collection is throwing a party, complete with Salsa music, dancing, Mexican food, and more.

The celebration will be held from 8-11 p.m. October 20 in Hamilton-Williams Campus Center. Tickets are $10 in advance at the store, or $12 at the door. Global Village Collection is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Music for the October 20 celebration will be provided by Son del Caribe, an authentic 11-member Salsa band directed by Puerto Rican native Jaime Morales-Matos. Morales also serves as music director of the Central Ohio Symphony.

“We want to bring the community together to celebrate 15 years of Global Village Collection,” Plazolles says. “I hope everybody comes. The music will be fabulous. The celebration is scheduled to end at 11, but if things are bubbling, we may go till midnight.”

Although the event promises to be a joyous celebration, it has a serious side, too.

Portions of the evening’s sales of Global Village Collection merchandise and proceeds from a silent auction will benefit Peruvian earthquake victims. An 8.0 magnitude earthquake killed more than 540 people and injured more than 1,800 when it struck early August 15 along the southern coast of Peru.

“I can’t imagine their struggle,” says Plazolles, who grew up just hours away from the hardest-hit communities. “I can’t imagine a more difficult situation.”

Included in the silent auction will be gift baskets created with the many coffees, teas, chutneys, jellies, and other organic fair trade consumables sold at Global Village Collection. The store also is working to bring special organic clothing items handmade in Peru to Delaware to raise money for the earthquake victims.

In addition, Plazolles and Global Village Collection have established a Peru Earthquake Relief Fund. Contributions may be made during the October 20 community event or dropped off at the store. Checks should be made out to Global Village Collection with “Peru Earthquake Relief” written in the memo line. All contributors will receive letters verifying their gifts, which are tax-deductible.

“Our 15th anniversary celebration is a chance for everyone to get together and have a good time, but also to continue our efforts to help people in need,” Plazolles says. “We appreciate the past support we have received and look forward to a wonderful future.”

– Cole Hatcher