Juliana Sousa elegantly adorned in Oscar de la Renta's timeless fashion masterpiece.

PROFILE: JULIANA SOUSA, Mortgage Agent
By: Janine Sharp

Behind every successful fundraiser, there's a dedicated. resourceful, giant-hearted, savvy, inspired person who's chief goal is always to put all of their available energy into gathering the best people around them and coming up with a BIG RESULT!

All of the above apply to Mortgage Agent Juliana Sousa, the woman behind the Pre-Loved Fashion Sale to support the programs and services of HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre coming up on Saturday, October 21st.

Inspiration struck when she attended a previous event with a portion of the proceeds going to HopeSpring. Her interest in the Cancer Support Centre grew out of the heart-wrenching experience of being by her older sister's side, a witness to the suffering and struggles she faced, the emotional impact of losing the parts of herself that made her feel most feminine, and the harsh reality of sourcing and covering the considerable personal expenses for even the basics; a wig and mastectomy camisole.

When she discovered the wealth of valuable, caring and practical resources available to not just cancer patients, but care-givers, family members and other loved ones, Juliana was deeply impressed and wanted to lend her support to the totally non-profit agency.

With a love of fashion she shared with her sister, mom and grandmother, and previous experience owning an on-line consignment shop where she personally delivered and styled the outfits for her clients, Juliana knew she had a recipe for something spectacular!

Who doesn't love getting a great new piece for your wardrobe at a price you can't wait to boast about?! Even if you've never entertained the idea of purchasing Pre-loved, imagine coming across a brand new item at a high-end local boutique - at a fraction of the price. You will find this type of item at THIS sale, thanks to the sponsorship of K-W merchants, and the "tags-attached" new offerings from local consignment shops, too!  (This is not your church basement rummage sale.)

Wait 'til you see what her efforts have brought in by the shopping-bagful! Hundreds of them.

Of course no successful fundraiser is the sole achievement of that one individual, without a partner to share the load of planning and directing the entire effort. That would be Jaqueline Watty, a personal friend and professional consultant to small business and Charitable organizations.

Between the two of them, dozens of pick-ups of mass donations have been collected since the kick-off of the Pre-loved Fashion Sale.

A team of more than 20 volunteers have spent 4-8 hour shifts sorting the clothing, shoes and accessories, over the last 6 weeks or more. Many of the volunteers have had their own personal experiences with cancer, including some living with it, some currently being treated, and survivors. 

The loving and generous community support from those who have made personal donations, to volunteers and sponsors, underscores for Juliana Sousa how a great idea with good intentions attracts a solid group to make it happen.

Now it's up to YOU shoppers!!!!  See you SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 at Waterloo Christian Reformed Church, 209 Bearinger Road, Waterloo. The sale runs from 10 am to 4 pm.

Keep up-to-date on this event follow on Instagram

@julianasclosetcanada

@julianamortgages

@jwattyconsults