Since announcing the opening of Philanthropy’s first franchise in Cape Girardeau, MO we’ve begun to notice a trend, which includes a look of sheer confusion and a one-word question – Why? Precisely, Why Franchise, Why Bridgett, Why Cape Girardeau, and Why now?
The philosophy of Philanthropy has never been just to sell clothing and it will never be about fitting into the typical business model – we will always head in the direction we are most called and do God’s work wherever and whenever he sends us. We have always believed a business built around charitable works and grounded in Christ could make a difference.
As we started looking at the process of franchising, we had to ask WHY? Why would this be our next step? Better yet, was this the next step God was calling us to do? At every turn, we were being reminded how Christ came and impacted the masses by walking ‘city to city’. We knew if we truly wanted to make a difference, Philanthropy had to start walking ‘city to city’.
If you’ve had the opportunity to read Bridgett’s Story then you know that she is an extraordinary person who has been brought into our lives for a reason. When we all met Bridgett we knew there was something special about her. Her willingness to walk in faith and drop everything she knew of a career to choose a path with Philanthropy spoke volumes. When Christina began putting one foot in front of the other in alignment with Bridgett’s chosen path, amazing things started to happen. Neither one of them knew what this was gonna look like, but they both had faith that God already had the details worked out.
‘Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail’…Ralph Emerson
On our first visit to Cape Girardeau we were completely embraced by what is a truly spectacular city with a rich, deep history and a TON of incredible people doing awe inspiring things.
We knew the right home for Philanthropy would always be in historical towns with a wide outreach in the local community and found exactly this in Cape Girardeau. Our new Cape family introduced us to the Old Cape Historical Society, and Hope Children’s Home which they have chosen to be the first local causes in our Wearable Compassion campaign in Cape.
Within our first few moments in the city, we knew exactly why Cape is where we have been called, exactly why Bridgett was brought into our lives, and exactly why now is the right time – to discover a town we may not have been the most familiar with but which we know now will be a member of our extended family and a community we are perfectly fit (and very excited) to be a part of.
Philanthropy will continue to ba a catalyst for teaching the joy of giving and will grow our vision to all small communities where customers throughout the nation can shop with generous hearts.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future – Jeremiah 29:11
Thanks to everyone in Cape for your shared excitement in our upcoming Grand Opening! We cant wait to meet every one of you – and hopefully see a few familiar faces!!! You have a very special town and we can’t wait to watch it grow!!!
Together in Him,
~Your Philanthropy Family
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