The big race may have come and gone, but the festivities and philanthropy of the Downtown Derby carry on. Join us every Thursday in May to Shop For A Cause from 5:30pm-8pm and discover fun ways to give back to some amazing non-profit organizations.

Rain, Rain Go Away

Despite the unfavorable weather (and the mud) during our-month-of-giving kick-off event, the Downtown Derby, we enjoyed great food, drinks, and desserts provided by Winberies, Teresa Caffe, Princeton Soup & Sandwich, Olsson’s Fine Foods, and Halo Pub. Owls & Lions kicked off the tunes and KickStart Band took us through to the end!

We were also joined by the cutest adoptable puppies from E.A.S.E.L.- Animal Rescue League, along with representatives from our other fantastic charities. Read on to learn more about them.

Meet Our Benefactors

Every Thursday in May, we’re turning your weeknight on the Square into an opportunity to support local non-profit organizations and make a difference, one purchase at a time! When you visit any of the participating retailers and restaurants, 10% of all sales will be donated to the chosen benefactor of the week.

Week 1 (5/9): YWCA Princeton

Their mission: Providing direct services, empowerment programming, and advocacy to support marginalized individuals and families, especially women and girls of color, while working to challenge structural barriers to equity.

Week 2 (5/16): HomeFront

Their mission: End homelessness in Central New Jersey by harnessing the caring, resources and expertise of the community. Helping families become self-sufficient, HomeFront works to give clients the skills and opportunities to ensure adequate incomes, and increase the availability of adequate, affordable housing.

Week 3 (5/23): Womanspace

Their mission: Provide potentially life-saving services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and human trafficking. Womanspace assists victim-survivors, both at the moment of crisis and throughout their journey of emotional healing and the achievement of economic independence. All of their programs are tailored to the complex needs of victim-survivors, such as emergency and transitional housing, counseling, 24-hour hotlines, court advocacy, and crisis response.

 

Week 4 (5/30): Community Options

Their mission: Develop housing and employment supports for persons with disabilities. Community Options believes in the dignity of every person, and in the freedom of all people to experience the highest degree of self-determination.

 

Capturing You in Caricatures

We welcome back to the Square, Daniel Perez (@danstoonz on Instagram) who first joined us for last year’s events. We were wowed by his artwork and couldn’t wait to invite him back. Stop by and take a seat across from his easel to watch your image and likeness be transformed into a bubbly masterpiece to take as a souvenir.

Check out his renditions of each charity’s horse below:

Dignity (Community Options)

Confident Connie (Dress For Success)

Dogbiscuit (EASEL, Animal Rescue League)

HomeFront Honey (HomeFront NJ)

Hope (Womanspace)

YWC-NAY (YWCA)

 

The Grand Finale

It’s not over just yet! Join us on May 30^th for an evening at the races where you can vote in real-time for your favorite horse to win. These proceeds also go to our listed benefactors.

If you don’t want to play favorites and vote on a specific horse, there are other ways you can be a part of the cause. 10% of all sales from the following shops and restaurants will be donated to the chosen benefactor of the week: Dandelion, Faherty, Highbar Boutique, jaZams, Lace Silhouettes Lingerie, Lilly Pulitzer, Miya Table & Home, Morgenthal Frederics, Nic+Zoe, Princeton Soup & Sandwich, Toobydoo, The Rain, Yankee Doodle Tap Room

In conjunction with our final Shop For A Cause night, the door prize winners will be selected, Some Assembly Required will jam on the stage, Kym D will emcee, Winberie’s will serve up the drinks, and what would an event be if we didn’t capture all of the fun with a 360 photobooth?!

You can also opt to clean out your closet and bring your gently used handbags, jewelry, and other women’s accessories to the Dress For Success table on the Green. All items collected will go to local women in need!

Mark your calendars for the community fun happening from 5:30pm-8pm.

Horses will Race for A Cause at 7pm!