A Chance to Give Back

It was an honor to be invited by the New York Junior League to join their annual Golden Tree event on its 50th anniversary. The NYJL is an organization of women committed to helping communities in New York through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. It was established in 1901 by then 19 year old Mary Harriman and her friends with the purpose that each year their group of young women will organize to contribute to the communities. Eleanor Roosevelt was also a NYJL member and her then future husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt use to accompany her to the Lower East Side housing settlements where she volunteered.

The in-person holiday shopping and fundraising event was held at the prestigious Astor House in Manhattan’s Upper East Side on November 11-13. Tickets were sold for various activities that include food, drinks and shopping for curated brands in home, beauty, accessories and apparel categories.  All vendors donated 20% of their proceeds to NYJL to help fund the community work they do for New York. While the patrons enjoyed the festivities, the event afforded an opportunity for the business owners to meet, network and collaborate in the future. It was great to be in the same room with amazing women entrepreneurs who hold such pride to their craft. Sales were made but more importantly; camaraderie, support and knowledge were shared throughout.  The highlights for us are the cheerful conversations with the shoppers. They shared their personal travel memories, bucket lists and ideas while perusing and smelling our travel-inspired candles.

There was excitement around IM Home Candles because they evoke nostalgia and stir up the longing for future journeys. The compliments and praises from both the patrons and organizers were encouraging and heartwarming. The Golden Tree experience is one for the books and we would love to have the opportunity to do it again.