The Gardenia Branch Partners with the Glimmer of Hope to Support Women by Donating Butterfly Cardigans

By Janice Lane Palko

We all feel warm and cozy inside when we help someone else, but now you can also feel warm and cozy on the outside and help a woman battling cancer.

Dione O’Dell and daughter Kaleigh O’Dell are the owners of The Gardenia Branch, an online women’s clothing boutique, and they are working with the Glimmer of Hope Foundation to support women battling cancer.

Several years ago, Dione’s sister was diagnosed with cancer, and while she was undergoing treatment, she realized that she felt most comfortable in a cardigan sweater.

During the pandemic lockdowns, Kaleigh, who was pursuing her love for fashion at Kent State, was home studying and proposed that she and her mother open an online store. Dione’s sister encouraged the idea and requested that they carry cardigans so that she could purchase them from their store. Sadly, Dione’s sister passed away unexpectedly from her disease, but Dione and Kaleigh carried on with their venture, but they wanted to find a way to help others and the “butterfly cardigan” was born because her late sister loved butterflies.

On November 12, 2021, The Gardenia Branch ran a campaign that for every butterfly cardigan purchased, a butterfly cardigan would be donated to a woman battling cancer. The sweaters sold out within a few hours. The demand was so high, they ran another campaign and sold out quickly again.

This year’s campaign starts on Oct. 10 at 10 a.m., and Dione recommends setting an alarm to remind yourself to shop for the butterfly cardigan at the website at www.thegardenabranch.com or in person at Ross Park Mall on the lower level of the mall across from H&M.

The butterfly cardigan comes in ten colors and the donated sweaters will be distributed through the Glimmer of Hope Foundation on Giving Tuesday, November 29.

“We want women battling cancer to know that there are women wearing these cardigans in support of you!” said Dione. “Please know that as soon as you put this cardigan on, that you are being hugged!” n

Bob LeClair

By Paula Green

There is something to be said about longevity at Magnolia Place in Saxonburg. Last month, we acquainted you with 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor George Pann. This month, we are going to introduce you to Bob LeClair. The two men are close friends and have a lot in common.

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Like Pann, 99-year-old LeClair is also a World War II veteran. He was drafted into the U.S. Army at the age of 20, which was a common occurrence during that period. According to the WW2 Museum, American men aged 15-44 in 1940 had a 55% chance of serving and a 36% chance of being drafted.

LeClair serviced for three years. He did his basic training at Fort Meade, which is located in northwestern Anne Arundel County, Maryland, between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. When LeClair completed basic training, he was sent to Fort McCoy in southwestern Wisconsin in Monroe County.

“After I finished at McCoy, I headed to northern Michigan for maneuvers; I attained the rank of PFC (Private First Class). I was a field lineman. I strung bars at the front lines and repaired telephone lines. It was an interesting job; they always seemed to keep us busy,” LeClair said.

“I did receive a few awards while I served. I was given a Good Conduct Medal and a Rifleman Medal. When I was deployed over in Germany, I was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor,” LeClair added.

LeClair was born in Tarentum; he lived in Natrona Heights and Columbia, South Carolina. He has resided at Magnolia Place for the past nine years. “I enjoy living here. I have made many friends,” LeClair remarked.

Once LeClair completed his military career, he worked for 40 years, six years at Allegheny Ludlum, and 34 years at PPG, where he was a foreman. LeClair was married to Aurora, who passed away 15 years ago. They had two children, David and Barbara, five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. LeClair enjoys playing bingo and card games such as pinochle and euchre in his spare time. He also likes to work on crossword puzzles.

LeClair has a milestone birthday approaching on December 12. He will turn 100 years old. As far as hitting the centennial mark, he commented, “I don’t think about it much.” However, the folks at Magnolia Place are excited to celebrate with him. “We have some nice surprises lined up for Bob’s big day,” said Amie Feeney, director of quality assurance at Magnolia Place.

Northern Connection magazine salutes Bob LeClair for his dedication to serving in the United States military, and we congratulate him on his upcoming birthday. n