Submitted by Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault/Bakersfield Homeless Center

Helping a victim of domestic violence can be as easy—and fun!—as trading in a pair of gently used jeans for $25 off a new pair.

You can thank Christine’s and LoLo’s Women’s Boutiques at Stockdale Fashion Plaza, and partner nonprofits the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault and the Bakersfield Homeless Center, for the do-good-while-you-shop experience from Oct. 1 through 10.

Beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, with the colorful balloon-release kick-off of the “Ninth Annual Denim Exchange” in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, you can bring in a pair of gently used denim jeans (women’s, children’s or men’s) to Christine’s at 4915 Stockdale Highway, or LoLo’s a couple of doors down at 5003 Stockdale Highway, and receive a $25 discount on a new pair off the racks at either store.

Lori Malkin, who owns both boutiques, will donate your old jeans to the shelters at the Alliance and the Bakersfield Homeless Center, to be used by victims of domestic violence and the homelessness that often accompanies it.

“We are very grateful for the support of Lolo’s and Christine’s. Community partners like Lori Malkin make our work possible,” said Louis Gill, Executive Director of both the Alliance and the Homeless Center.

“Through my customers, I am building awareness in our community about what the needs are in our local nonprofits,” Malkin said. She said shoppers will also have a chance to register for a drawing to win a free pair of jeans during the Denim Exchange.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call:

• Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, 322-0931;
• Bakersfield Homeless Center, 322-9199;
• Christine’s Boutique, 834-3068; or
• LoLo’s Boutique, 835-5656.