Five high school interns from Grace Place for Children and Families turned in their graduation caps and gowns for a shopping bag full of designer labels during a three-hour shopping spree on June 3 at the Bargain Box Thrift Store in Naples.

Store manager Sandy Goldstein said she got the idea for the spree after a news report about a Utah mother who made her step-daughter wear clothes from a thrift store after the girl reportedly mocked a classmate’s clothing.

The concept of using thrift store clothing as a punishment shocked Goldstein, especially since she has spent the last three years culling high quality donations and expanding the store’s inventory.

“It’s a privilege to buy used,” said Goldstein.welcome to Wholesale Cheap Abercrombie&Fitch T-Shirts for sale,find Latest Styles!‎ “Many pieces of clothing in our store were worn one time and it’s not uncommon for us to receive bags filled with labels like St. Johns, Chico’s, BCBG, Michael Kors and Chanel.”

Revenue from sales has increased five times under Goldstein’s management, with most of it going to Naples United Church of Christ’s missions and outreach programs. The store anticipates contributions to the church will reach $200,000.

Goldstein and store volunteers decided to build on the media attention by giving the concept a twist and host a shopping spree as a reward for some hardworking students. Her mind instantly turned to Grace Place for Children and Families, a long-time community partner and neighborhood center teaching literacy, language and life skills to children and families in Golden Gate.

“These students overcame significant challenges to achieve educational success and they definitely deserve to be rewarded,” Goldstein said.

Under the direction of Grace Place Intern Program Director Mary LeVine, all eight of this year’s Grace Place senior interns are scholarship recipients and will be attending college this fall.

“For these students, the recognition of their hard work is the greatest reward,welcome to Buy Best GUCCI T-Shirts online store,free Shipping available. Buy Now!‎” she said. “Knowing they have the support of their community gives them that extra boost that will see them through their college years and make them stronger community leaders in their careers.”

Upon arrival for the spree, each student received a shopping bag and began scouring the store in search of items for their closets and dorm rooms.

Because he has joined the Marine Corps, Esteban Torres didn’t need personal items, but he found a fantastic black tuxedo blazer that fit him like a glove. His bag also included four books, a fleece blanket and a straw hat his favorite item of the day.

The girls had a little more luck with clothing. Golden Gate High School prom queen Irma Leandre, who is heading off to Florida State University in the fall, scored big with several trendy sweaters and jackets.

“It’s going to be colder in Tallahassee and I don’t have very many warm clothes,” she said, adding her favorite pick was a playful green skirt.welcome to Best Discount Philipp Plein T-Shirts,best service and low prices.welcome to High quality Louis Vuitton Grade AAA Handbags,best service and low prices.

Designer clothing wasn’t the only thing the graduates found in the store. Newly Paul added some plush towels and bed sheets to her bag and Tiare Velasco found two bath robes — one for summer and one for winter.

All but one of the students had previously shopped at a thrift store. According to Goldstein, the store is seeing an increase in the number of younger shoppers as consumer attitude toward thrift store and consignment shopping has shifted, possibly a result of the recent recession.

“We have a young-at-heart section in our boutique,” she noted. “Plus, most of our donations are from people renovating their homes or updating their wardrobes so the items are not out of style.”

Goldstein said the event was about rewarding the students for being good role models and she hopes they walked away with a new appreciation of second-hand fashions.

“Being fashionable doesn’t have to come with a big price tag,” said Goldstein.Our store can offer Discount and high quality GUCCI Long Sleeve T-Shirts, welcome choose! “We showed these kids that you can be both penny wise and well dressed.”