20SDS

20 Something turns a “spring cleaning” project into a way to change other’s lives by giving away to young ladies in
need.

Ashley Gray is another 20 something in
Winston Salem working to make a dream
come true. She created The Beautiful
Exchange, a wonderful concept that
began as a “spring cleaning” project and
has evolved into a non-profit
organization. I was amazed when I
moved back to Winston and saw all the
great things she was doing in the area to
help young girl in need.

It started in Ashley’s closet when she
decided to get rid of pieces she hadn’t
touched in years and some she had
NEVER worn. There were so many
clothes, that she thought there has to be
someone that has a need for them instead
of giving them to Goodwill. From that
simple act, she came up with this idea to
give the clothes away to young girls, it
was constantly on her mind and she
could not stop thinking about it. This is
where she then developed The Beautiful
Exchange. She gathers clothes for young
ladies in need, ages 10 to 21, then sets up

a boutique shopping experience for them to sorted over 50 pairs of shoes by myself (bear
come and get what they need. in mind I wasn’t sorting the shoes alone, there
were other volunteers, there was way more to
She shared with me that in the beginning sort, and I was not there the entire day). I was
some places she tried to go through did not amazed by everyone there helping but even
want her help and at first it was hard to try to more amazed by the really nice things that
find the right way to reach young ladies in were donated to give away to these young
need. However, she has been running into girls. I can only imagine the joy The Beautiful
more people that love what she is doing and Exchange receives as they see the joy on the
want to help out in whatever way they can, young ladies faces when they give these
making it easier for her and her team. Ashley clothes away.
met a lady at the Stokes Family YMCA that
provided her with a room, storage, and has So many people came to the giveaway, to
even helped get more volunteers; all because volunteer and to receive. Even some of those
she wanted to be a part of The Beautiful who stopped by to receive clothes decided
Exchange. They have thrown “Give-a-way” they wanted to help and brought hangers
events in Winston Salem, Lexington and
their newest addition was King!I was able to
volunteer at the “Sorting Party,” and
stopped by the actual giveaway to see some
of the lives that The Beautiful Exchange
was able to change. The amount of clothes,
shoes, and accessories that had been
donated was unbelievable! I believed I

Meet Audrey Rose

As I was snapping pictures, I could hear a
mother in the distance telling a young girl to
step away from the camera. I removed the
camera from my face to looked down and
found this young sweet heart. She said “Hey,
look what I got today!” as she was holding up
a small purse, then showed me other clothes
she was able to get from The Beautiful
Exchange. She then proceeded to introduce
me to her mother and older sister who was
also able to receive from this giveaway. Her
mother was so grateful and she even
expressed how nice everyone was, which
caused the older daughter to feel more
comfortable. It was amazing to see how
grateful and excited this family was

because they knew The Beautiful Exchange You could see the excitement on all the girls
was in need. The Beautiful Exchange also faces of all different ages.
teamed up with Junkies Vintage Boutique,
who helped them spruce up the YMCA room I met two young sisters who were very excited
to make it fun and a better shopping to show me what they got. The mother shared
experience for the girls. There was an with me that the oldest, was very shy at first,
awesome DJ, a cute photo booth with props but she had so much fun she opened up. It
and all of the clothes were in aisles, set up like touched my heart to see these young girls
a real store. The accessories were propped on excited to get these new, to them, clothes.
lanterns and picture frames, and some were
neatly organized within vintage style suitcases.