6 minute read
Where Fashion Meets Philanthropy
A look at Story Boutique, an upscale resale store that benefits families receiving services through Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care.
By Jill Dutton
Photos by Kevin Anderson
Comedian and Saturday Night Live cast member Heidi Gardner was in town to attend the NFL Draft at Union Station, and she needed a dress to wear to the event.
A Leawood native, Gardner learned about Story Boutique, a resale store that benefits Kansas City Hospice. The boutique receives clothing donations, many of them designer apparel, and the shop happened to have a vintage Chanel dress in Gardner’s size. She purchased it and was thrilled with the dress and the knowledge that her donation was helping an important cause. Gardner paired the evening gown with combat boots to put her unique creative spin on the ensemble.
Story Boutique once again provided a unique blend of fashion and philanthropy.
Hospice and Palliative Care
Jeannie Wilcox, senior communications manager for Kansas City Hospice, says the mission of the hospice, which has been around since 1980 and is the largest hospice in Kansas City, is “to bring expert care, peace of mind, comfort, guidance, and hope to people who are affected by serious illness or by grief.”
In addition to hospice and palliative care, the organization hosts a support center—Solace House—that was started 26 years ago to aid adults, children and families through grief and healing.
“Grief support fits with the Kansas City Hospice mission and vision,” Wilcox says. “Solace House is open to anyone who is experiencing grief in Kansas City. It’s a beautiful thing to have a place that’s been around for so long, where people can turn when they’re experiencing grief.”
At its core, Kansas City Hospice provides hospice and palliative care.
“Whatever stage someone might be in their illness, our expert staff is there for them. And we’re not just there for the patient but also for their families,” Wilcox says. “There is an entire team who takes care of a patient—physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains, and the caregiver is often so absorbed with taking care of their sick family member that there’s little time to care for themselves. Kansas City Hospice gives the caregiver the chance to step back and be a family member versus a caregiver 24/7. It’s an incredible service.”
Volunteers are a key component of Kansas City Hospice, with more than 300 volunteers trained at any given time, whether visiting people in their homes, working at Story Boutique, or taking part in other volunteer opportunities.
Kansas City Hospice, as the name says, covers the entire Metro area and has hospice houses in the Northland and in Kansas City, Missouri. Their services are provided throughout the 12-county area, whether someone needs hospice care in their homes, one of the hospice houses or in a long-term care facility.
“If someone needs to be seen in their home, then that’s where our services are,” Wilcox says.
Story Boutique
Caryn Hohnholt, chief development and communications officer for Kansas City Hospice, had the vision that led to Story Boutique’s fruition.
The idea for Story Boutique, Hohnholt says, grew from the previous store, Top Drawer, when they moved locations.
“I started to wonder what we wanted our next chapter to look like. One thing that makes Kansas City Hospice and Story Boutique unique are the stories that come with the donations we receive. How the donors, who have often benefitted from hospice care, want to pay it forward to other families,” she says. “So when you come to the store, you see all these stories, each item with a history. It just makes buying here—versus purchasing something mass produced that doesn’t really have a history— so much more interesting and fulfilling.”
The customers at Story Boutique appreciate both knowing their purchase supports the hospice and finding quality items at a fraction of the original price.
Hohnholt agrees. “We’ve developed a reputation of having top-quality items, lots of designer items but also beautifully curated mall brands, at a fraction of what you’d normally pay.”
Leawood residents Shelly Legler and Bob Legler are passionate about the work done through Kansas City Hospice and are avid promoters of Story Boutique—whether helping to organize a Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care fundraiser, donating clothing, or promoting the boutique. Shelly, a model and photographer, takes her camera each Friday to “Fashion Fridays,” and the photos are then posted on social media by IN Kansas City Magazine and shared by Story Boutique. The photo shoot highlights current donations to Story Boutique and draws an online audience eager to shop the sales. Shelly donates personal items and shops at the boutique as well.
“I have a love for fashion, for clothing,” she says. “And there are so many hidden treasures at Story Boutique. You’ll often find designers such as Gucci, Chanel, or Dior.
“I’m a big proponent of not always buying new. Renewable resources such as repurposed clothing allow you to create a great new look while giving new life to a vintage piece. By purchasing items from Story Boutique, you’re helping to support such an important cause in Kansas City.”
Volunteer-Run
Store manager Jane Kilcoyne handles the day-to-day operations at the shop, making sure they’re staffed with volunteers, taking donations, tagging items, and helping to stage the floor to give items the best exposure.
She says the volunteers are an integral part of the boutique’s success.
“They’re so enthusiastic about sharing their time at the shop, helping customers. (We’re thankful) for the volunteers, and people like Bob Legler and Shelly Legler, who go out of their way to help with fashion tips, fundraising, and any other way they can be of assistance,” Kilcoyne says.
Of the Heidi Gardner story, Kilcoyne says it was Bob Legler who ran into Gardner at a fundraiser. “Shelly had just modeled the vintage gown, and Heidi wears the same size. Bob mentioned it to Heidi, who later went to see it for herself. She walked into StoryB and said, ‘Would you show me the Chanel dress?’ She tried it on, it fit perfectly, and of course she looked fantastic.”
The symbiotic relationship between Story Boutique and Kansas City Hospice illustrates Kansas City’s compassion and community support—plus a flair for fashion.
To get involved, there are many ways to support Kansas City Hospice and the caring services they provide, whether as a volunteer, donating clothing or home decor, and always by shopping at Story Boutique. There’s a sense of pride in knowing your purchase fully benefits Kansas City’s hospice care and grief support for families.
For More
Kansas City Hospice www.kchospice.org
Story Boutique
3704 W. 95th St., Leawood, KS
Heart & Soul
The sister store to Story Boutique is open two days a week and features home decor and furniture
12904 State Line Road, Leawood, KS
Solace House
Grief support through Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care www.kchospice.org/solacehouse
