WILMINGTON -- Here's an update to a story we brought you in November. A charity aimed at collecting bras and feminine hygiene products for women in need is getting some extra help after a viewer in Wilmington saw our story about ‘Support the Girls.’ 

Butler's Electric Supply in Wilmington is answering a call for help, by being the latest business to jump on board with ‘Support the Girls.’

It's a national charity which collects and distributes donations of new and gently used bras, as well as sealed packages of feminine hygiene products.

"It seemed like the perfect opportunity to get us involved in something in the downtown community,” said Lisa Galanis, the Showroom Manager at Butler’s Electric Supply. “When you're located on castle street you're in the midst of the environment where there is a great need."

We first did a story with Liz Marmaras last month, who started the first ‘Support the Girls’ chapter in North Carolina. "It's expanded in other states and it's nice that North Carolina is getting on board with this and women all over the state see that there is a need,” said Marmaras. “And the more women that want to be affiliates, the better. And it would be fantastic if all over North Carolina we had affiliates for every county, for every area."

Marmaras has been collecting bras to help women and girls in need in Brunswick and New Hanover counties. But she needed a permanent, public drop off location in Wilmington. Luckily, Galanis saw our original story that aired last month and was moved to help.

"I watched it and thought, this is a perfect opportunity. Butler's has always been involved with the community,” explained Galanis.

"We thought it's a worthwhile cause after we talked about it,” said James Butler, the Owner/President of Butler’s Electric Supply. “We discussed some ways we could help and the drop off location seemed to be the easy and best way to help."

And to encourage folks to help, Butler's Electric is raffling off this Golden Lighting Duncan fixture.

"All you have to do is come in and donate either a new or gently used bra or a package of feminie hygiene product, but it needs to be in a sealed box. Or even a package of underwear, brand new obviously,” said Marmaras.

And Jason Claus, an electrician in Wilmington has donated his time and services  to hang the light fixture for whoever wins the raffle. The winner of the drawing will be picked the morning of Friday, December 16.

Liz Marmaras says there's no limit on how many drop off locations they can have and encourages more businesses to get involved.

You can connect with the chapter on Facebook. Just search "Support the Girls- Southeastern North Carolina." Visit their website here.

Contact info: 

Email: dignity.wilmnc@gmail.com

Mailing Address:  

Support the Girls

PO Box 10904

Attn:  Liz Marmaras

Southport, NC 28461