A group of businesswomen from ClearView Christian Reformed Church in Oakville, Ontario, have teamed up to make a difference in their community. Calling themselves Business Women for a Better World (BWBW), their mission is to do business for the glory of God and the good of people.
Partnering with several women from the community, the group organized a business fair at the church Oct. 1 called FairPlus+, with the purpose of raising funds for charity.
Colleen Reinders with her felted and knit hats on display
Colleen Reinders, an organizer of BWBW, participated in the fair, selling her handmade knit and felted hats.
“We wanted to create a fun, unique shopping experience that is others-centered, supports local businesswomen and a local charity, and in doing so helps to make a better world and all for the glory of God,” she explained.
“I get very frustrated when I read the papers and hear how our economy is flailing in part because we import most of our products from China and elsewhere,” Reinders said. “Everyone is obsessed with buying lots for little, and unless we learn to buy less but local, I don't see how we can improve.”
Reinders has been donating her profits to help the GEMS Girls’ Clubs build a school in Africa. So far she has raised more than $19,000 in support of that project.
Among the other vendors at the fair were women selling fine art, jewelry, children’s books, and skin-care products, as well as services such as chiropractic care and dog training. Most of the vendors were not members of ClearView CRC or any other church.
“We were just a few women getting together, trying to make a better world,” Reinders said.
The vendors raised more than $800 at the fair, and plans are underway for another one in February.