Winner: $100 Gift Certificate
Farrah
There I was standing in a department store trying to find clothes for “back to school” while the tears began to well up. I am a teacher. I recently landed my dream job with a new school which meant I hadn’t seen a paycheck in 3 months. I spent all summer nannying just to earn enough to pay rent. Now, here I stood, a professional with 3 degrees and I couldn’t even afford a dress for the first day of school. I left the overpriced shop and headed home depressed and defeated. On the way, I passed Crossroads. I thought, “What do I have to lose?” I walked in and was cheerfully greeted by an associate. I made my way towards the dress rack. My spirits lifted as I pulled dress after dress off the rack…all my size…all like new (if not actually new)…all BEAUTIFUL. In my arms I cradled over a weeks work of gorgeous dresses. The cost? Sixty dollars. Yes. Sixty. And I’m talking quality name brands. The fitting room once again became my happy playground. Words cannot begin to express how thankful I am to the kind and helpful employees of Crossroads. There is an old saying that “clothes make the man”, well in my case, “Crossroads made me the best dressed teacher at my school”. (Literally. My coworkers were talking about it in the hallway and the students had a vote…) Thank you Crossroads, you have helped me to smile and shine once again!
Runner-Up: $20 Gift Certificate
So I am not the most fashion-sensible, but I never thought it would tangibly affect life. Here’s the story: I applied to maybe one hundred jobs and was invited to about fifteen job interviews. I felt that most the interviews would start on a low note. After one (unfruitful) interview, I stopped by Crossroads to decompress. One associate asked me what I was looking for. We talked and I eventually told her that I just came back from a job interview, but it did not work out. She asked what I wore and I told her I wore exactly what I was wearing now – her blank stare revealed my problem. My attire was unprofessional, and she let me know it was an issue. She set me up – she picked out a nice pair of slacks, a dress shirt, a pair of shoes, and even a belt for me – clothes that would otherwise cost me a fortune. She also told me to go and buy a black tie and emphasized the type to make sure it would go with the outfit. They all fit, I looked pretty good! This angel did something completely above and beyond, and I am very thankful.
I wore this single outfit to all of my subsequent interviews. An unprecedented outcome, I got callbacks!
In short, Crossroads helped this old chunk of coal get his life back on track. I do not know where I would be if not for that day at Crossroads.
Runner-Up: $20 Gift Certificate
Cynthia Duhame
My 20 year old daughter and I often share clothes and always look through each other’s bags when we head to Crossroads, and take out what we want to keep. One day, a favorite sweater of mine she had borrowed ended up in her bag to Crossroads, without me looking through the bag first.
Of course, Crossroads accepted that sweater, and the next day when I wanted to wear that sweater and asked her where it was, she panicked and told me she took it to Crossroads.
It was an honest mistake, and I forgave her immediately, but still was a little sad.
I later found out that she had gone back to Crossroads and spent 2 hours looking through every piece of clothing at the store, looking to buy back my sweater, with no luck.
The following week was my birthday, and you can imagine my surprise when I opened up a box from a department store with my sweater in it! My daughter had gone back to Crossroads again, looking for the sweater, and noticed one of the employees wearing it! She told her the story, and to her surprise, the employee very graciously slipped into the back and came out wearing another shirt as she handed the sweater in a bag to my daughter with a huge smile!
Runner-Up: $20 Gift Certificate
Beatrice M. Hogg
About ten years ago, I bought a large walnut brown leather backpack at the Arden Way Crossroads Trading Company in Sacramento. It wasn’t a brand name, but it was huge and well made, with soft, thick leather both inside and out, including the straps, which pulled the bag closed and fitted over my shoulders. It held a lot of stuff and had a cool sixties hippie vibe. I could imagine Janis Joplin carrying a funky bag just like it! The light tan leather interior made it easy to find things in spite of its size. But best of all, it had a secret compartment, accessible inside by a zipper at the bottom of the bag. I carried that bag for years. It broke my heart when I had to sell it after I lost my job and needed money. I hope it went to a good home. But the memory of that great bag lives on. When I needed to solve a mystery in my novel, Three Chords One Song, I remembered that large bag with the secret compartment. When Genesis Press publishes my first novel in June 2012, everyone will know about that great leather backpack. Thanks Crossroads!
Runner-Up: $20 Gift Certificate
Kamren Curiel
I remember exactly what she wore that fateful day we both moved into the dorms—baggy denim overalls, a Roots T-shirt, and black Chuck Taylors. It was 1997 and I fell for her super curly hair, which she wore natural, wild and free; like me. I was a girl starting my first year of college away from home inL.A., withdrawing from grungy high school stoner days and dabbling in hip-hop. I wanted to swap flannels for midriff-baring tops and cowry shell necklaces. I wanted friends to hop on the Muni with and discover the undergroundSan Franciscoscene.
Instead, I got stuck with a very boring roommate who took pride in her Sound of Music CD collection. I made sure to stay far, far away. I hopped on the 22 Fillmore solo and stumbled upon Crossroads for the very first time. This was the start of a new relationship with fashion; one I could afford while waitressing my way through school. When strapped for cash, I’d sell, and that’s when I spotted her again. She was a buyer and we complimented each other’s outfits and promised to knock on each other’s door some time. (Something we did pre-cell phones.)
Fast-forward 14 years: Kal and I are best friends. I travelled toSouth Africa, where she moved for love, to be in her wedding. Now, I anxiously await a Skype date with her soon-to-be-born baby, and think of my far-away friend whenever I’m strapped for cash and sell at Crossroads.
