Franklin Marketplace hosts benefit
A benefit for Nashville Rape and Sexual Abuse Center will be held at The Franklin Marketplace in Historic Downtown Franklin at 117 Third Avenue North, Thursday, April 26, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will introduce Share the Word Apparel and its creator, Shari Baldinger of Germantown, Tenn., and proceeds from the sale of the trendy, vintage-style t-shirt line that night will benefit RASAC.
Additionally, Baldinger will also preview the shirt "Evolve" from which the Nashville Rape and Sexual Abuse Center will receive an ongoing donation each time a shirt is sold by the manufacturer. Other merchants at The Franklin Marketplace will also be donating to the cause by offering a percentage of sales on Thursday evening to the Center on select products.
After three years of running her own specialty store, Shari Baldinger is speaking her mind. Share the Word Apparel was inspired by women who have similar perspectives on life, love, and relationships. Each word is as individual as the woman who chooses to wear it. Each meaning is chosen to give you a moment to reflect. Eventually, every word in the line will benefit a specific charitable cause.
The messages are more "spiritual than religious," said Baldinger. "It’s about women taking a word, connecting to it and passing it on."
Thursday’s event is being sponsored by Michelle Roberson of Retail Therapy, a merchant in The Franklin Marketplace. The story of Michelle and Shari’s connection rings true to what the line is all about.
"Shopping can be therapy for many women, and when I heard Shari share her story, I knew I wanted to be a part of the journey," Roberson said. "The connection to Nashville Rape and Sexual Abuse Center was a natural fit and they were thrilled to partner with us to introduce ‘evolve’."
Pam Bell, owner of The Franklin Marketplace, is pleased to host this event and anticipates a similar reaction from her customers.
"This kind of line is what our store is all about. Our association with Share the Word is in keeping with the mission and purpose of The Franklin Marketplace. Our merchants strive to bring unique collections to our customers and we’re excited to have Shari’s line added to the mix," Bell said.
Shari Baldinger will attend Thursday’s event at The Franklin Marketplace and share her story with the public. Additionally, the full line of shirts will be featured in the store during the Franklin Main Street Festival, Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29. For more information, call The Franklin Marketplace at 615.595.2887.