This past week, my daughter and I had the privilege of volunteering with the Great Haliburton Clothing Swap at Fleming College’s Haliburton School of Art + Design. Over two days, we welcomed donations, sorted through piles of gently-used clothing, and witnessed firsthand the generosity and spirit of our community.

The tables quickly filled with beautiful, clean clothing of all sizes and styles — proof that when we come together, we can create something truly meaningful. And now, it’s almost time for the big event!

📅 Saturday, October 4, 2025

🕙 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

📍 Great Hall, Fleming College Haliburton School of Art + Design, 297 College Drive, Haliburton

At the Great Haliburton Clothing Swap, you can pick up free, gently-used clothing — first come, first served, while supplies last. It’s a wonderful opportunity to refresh your wardrobe, save money, and reduce textile waste.

But this event is about more than clothes.

Why Clothing Swaps Matter

Fast fashion and textile waste are big challenges for our planet. Every year, millions of garments end up in landfills — many of them barely worn. Events like the Haliburton Clothing Swap give clothing a second life, keeping good items in circulation and out of the trash.

By choosing to swap instead of shop, we:

Reduce our environmental footprint 

Support a culture of reuse and sustainability

Save money while still updating our wardrobes

Inspire creativity through thrift fashion, mending, and upcycling

The Power of Volunteering

For me, the most rewarding part of this event has been volunteering with my daughter. Together, we sorted clothing, folded donations, and chatted with others who also gave their time. It was a reminder that volunteering isn’t just about helping others — it’s also about building memories, strengthening community connections, and learning valuable skills.

Volunteering:

Brings people together with a shared purpose

Teaches empathy, teamwork, and responsibility

Strengthens community ties

Leaves you with a sense of accomplishment and joy

Seeing my daughter jump in with enthusiasm made me proud and hopeful. She got to experience how small actions can have a big impact.

More Than Just Clothes

The Great Haliburton Clothing Swap is also a celebration of creativity and skill. During the event, you can enjoy live demonstrations of:

🪡 Sewing repair

🧵 Visible mending

👗 Thrift fashion styling

♻️ Upcycling clothing

These activities show us that fashion doesn’t have to be disposable — with a little creativity, we can extend the life of what we already own.

Join Us This Saturday!

If you’re in the Haliburton area, don’t miss the Great Haliburton Clothing Swap. Whether you come to browse the clothing racks, learn some new mending skills, or simply enjoy being part of a community initiative, you’ll leave feeling inspired.

For me, volunteering has been just as meaningful as the event itself. Giving back to the community, reducing waste, and doing it all alongside my daughter has been a heartwarming experience I won’t forget.

🌿 Let’s make fashion sustainable, creative, and community-driven — one clothing swap at a time.