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O C TO B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | M ACO N M AG A Z I N E.CO M 4 7 COLLINDA SIMMONS, a human resources associate at Goodwill of Middle Georgia, has a heart for benevolence. She doesn't just work to help people, but she helps people find work, fulfilling Goodwill's mission to "help people overcome challenges to build skills, find jobs and grow their careers," according to the website. Simmons said that her fondness for finding something original keeps her on the go. "Usually, you go to retail stores with a style in mind, but at thrift stores, it's an endless combination of designers and possible styles," she said. There, she finds herself more willing to step out of her comfort zone and choose pieces that would not normally be on the mannequin. Simmons said she aspires to dress and save as well as her mother, thrift shopper extraordinaire Dr. Melinda Moffett. "Hands down, she is my thrift shop fashion icon," Simmons said. "From casual to formal, most of her closet comes from various thrift stores. Her favorite past time is to pull out a bag from her trunk to show off her latest pick-ups and especially those clothes that still have their original price tag." Simmons said thrift shopping is better when you go to multiple stores, taking time to slow down and really search. The ambience of Wear, with its purple walls and big windows, invites shoppers to linger. "The purpose of Wear, outside of providing cute clothes for a deal, is to help raise awareness and funds for Daybreak. Daybreak, a project of Depaul USA, is a day resource center for homeless men and women located in downtown Macon," said Heatherly Wakefield, manager of Wear. "When shopping at Wear, you know you're getting a great deal and helping others in your community." A HEART FOR HELPING IVY MARIE CLARKE, a student at Mercer University, is wonderfully wise, intriguing and has a love of eco-friendly shopping that pairs beautifully with her minimalist and streetwear styles. She avoids "fast fashion," which she said is full of fads that feature "seasonal, cheap clothes produced in poor conditions that just get quickly added to landfills." "Through thrifting, I'm able to reuse clothes, cut my own contribution to fast fashion, and limit my personal waste," Clarke said. "Add a touch of feminine color or cut to those otherwise androgynous fashions and you've got me sold." Just like clothes, furnishing your home with storied items can be marvelous, and Historic Macon's annual Flea Market is a great place to snag new treasures. "I love that the flea market is giving new life to old things. I saw a lot of really neat stuff while I was there and made some mental bookmarks, so I will definitely be back," Clarke said. The Flea Market, slated for Oct. 4-6, has been happening for 42 years and is Historic Macon's biggest fundraiser. "People far and wide look forward to it all year long," said Stafford Gudenrath, Historic Macon's director of engagement. "Supporting the Flea Market is critical for Historic Macon's mission of preserving the architecture in Macon and helping revitalize our community." HISTORY IN THE MAKING