Exchanging For Change
Oxfam has long been an inspiring organisation helping those in need, both locally and globally. Daria O’Neill and Kris McIntyre admired Oxfam and decided that it would be the perfect organisation to host their new charity campaign, Exchange for Change, writes Sonya Krzywoszyja.
Exchange for Change is a clothes swap party with a difference. Held throughout September (or at any time throughout the year you feel keen), the parties involve registering online and inviting people to donate clothing to swap as well as make voluntary monetary donations, which go directly to funding Oxfam’s projects.
2009 is the inaugural year for Exchange for Change, although the idea was developed back in 2007, according to O’Neill.
“Kris [McIntyre] wanted to create an easy and fun way for women to make a difference in the lives of people less fortunate than ourselves. We decided on Oxfam, because of their great work with poor communities across the globe,” she says.
Clothes swaps are popular among women, especially in times of recession and financial crises—the idea of gaining a whole new wardrobe without spending a cent is an understandably appealing concept. Exchange for Change takes this further, by reaching out to those less fortunate through clothing and donations.
“We developed the idea based on clothing swaps we were already doing with friends, which were a great way to recycle old or unused clothes and revamp our wardrobes—and catch up with friends,” O’Neill says.
“We thought we could take the idea one step further and help people who don’t have the luxuries we take for granted at the same time—and empower other people to do the same.” 
The added appeal is that the parties are easy to organise. O’Neill gives a step-by-step run-down on what organisers and contributors have to do in order to participate in Exchange for Change:
1. The organiser(s) join the Facebook group.
2. Create a fundraising page and invite your friends, family, or work colleagues.
3. Host the party. While it is preferable to host the party during September, you are able to host them all year round. Get together with friends, family, and colleagues and organise a fun event at home, in the office, at your mothers’ group meeting, book club, or any other social or sporting group.
4. Have fun, swap clothes (or baby clothes, books, bric-a-brac) and re-vamp your look.
5. Make a voluntary donation to Oxfam Australia and encourage everyone at your party to do so too. If your friends can’t come to your event, they can still donate using your Everyday Hero donation page.
It’s this idea of voluntary donations that makes Exchange for Change particularly intriguing.
“We thought we’d let people choose what they’d like to give. We suggest giving the money they’d spend on a new item of clothing,” O’Neill says.
“If 5,000 people contribute just $30 each, we will raise $150,000 for Oxfam Australia’s work to find solutions to global poverty and injustice.”
Visit the Oxfam Exchange for Change website for more info and ideas on how to host and Exchange for Change party.
