CAZENOVIA — Throughout the months of December and January, two Cazenovia businesses, are selling candles to raise funds for LGBTQIA programs in Madison County.
Otis + Matilda New York — a footwear, accessories, and home boutique at 65 Albany St. — and Purpose Coffee Co., a full-service coffee house at 35 Albany St., will donate all the funds raised minus expenses to BRiDGES Madison County initiatives that support LGBTQIA youth.
The signature 12-ounce “Pride with Purpose” candles are contained in hand-painted rainbow jars. The coffee & marshmallow-scented candles are 100 percent all-natural soy wax with crackling wood wicks with approximately 70 hours of burn time.
According to Derek Clark, owner of Otis + Matilda, the name of the candle serves as a reminder that every LGBTQIA child needs to know they have a purpose in life, and they should always be proud of who they are.
“This is about seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child and supporting a community of local kids that don’t always receive the benefits needed from downstate funding,” said Clark in a press release announcing the Pride with Purpose initiative. “Join us in celebrating the holidays at the halfway mark of June Pride and showing these kids they all have purpose. In addition, this is an incredible opportunity for Otis + Matilda to partner with one of their favorite local businesses and BRiDGES Madison County to ‘give back’ to the LGBTQIA community. We are focused on raising awareness and funding with a reminder that everyone’s generosity is needed year-round to keep our LGBTQIA youth, their families, and allies engaged and safe.”
The mission of BRiDGES is to be a leader in providing advocacy, resources, and services to the local community, the workforce, families, and individuals through the delivery of prevention and intervention programs that promote change, strengthen families, and build healthy communities.
With support from the CNY Community Foundation, BRiDGES formed an LGBTQIA Network in 2017 in Madison County. Housed at BRiDGES, the network is a resource for LGBTQIA individuals and groups and their allies. The goal of the network is to enhance existing supports and resources, identify gaps and needs for services, and bring together the community to raise awareness, increase support, and reduce isolation. In addition, the network organizes Pride events throughout the county each June and runs a weekly LGBTQIA social group for youth to build safe bonds with their peers.
“In 2016, noting the gap in resources and supports for members of the LGBTQIA community and their families in Madison County, BRiDGES began to expand its work and focus in this area,” said BRiDGES Executive Director Maureen Campanie in the press release. “Data from the Trevor Project estimates that at least one LGBTQIA youth between the ages of 13-24 attempts suicide every 45 seconds in the United States. LGBTQIA youth who report having at least one accepting adult are 40 percent less likely to attempt suicide over a 12-month period. Partnerships like the one between Otis + Matilda, Purpose Coffee Co., and BRiDGES are one way in which organizations in Madison County are coming together to make local changes that support members of our own community.”
The Pride with Purpose candles are $50 and are available at the Otis + Matilda retail store, at Purpose Coffee Co., and online at OtisAndMatilda.com. If either business runs out of candles, they will take special orders and ship them as quickly as possible.
Customers who purchase Pride with Purpose candles from either business (including OtisAndMatilda.com) will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win an Otis + Matilda rainbow handbag (retail value $105) or a Purpose Coffee Co. gift basket (retail value $58). Two winners will be chosen, one for each prize.
Upon opening in August 2022, Otis + Matilda committed to giving back to two local community organizations a year.
Clark, who has been fundraising and mentoring LGBTQIA youth since 2016, said he was eager to support a local LGBTQIA youth organization.
He came up with the idea of selling candles based on the success of Otis + Matilda’s candle business. He first reached out to his candle vendor to get them on board and then asked Debbie Tillson, owner of Purpose Coffee Co. to join the effort.
“I remember thinking about how much I love [Debbie’s] spirit and compassion,” said Clark. “It’s exactly what the LGBTQIA community needs, especially the LGBTQIA youth community. She jumped on board with no resistance.”
Clark and Tillson teamed up to choose the name for the candle, the scent, and the organization receiving the donation.
“The LGBTQIA youth in Central New York are very fortunate to have the support and resources provided through BRiDGES,” said Tillson. “For Purpose Coffee Co. to have the opportunity to be a small part in supporting their efforts through our Pride with Purpose campaign is truly a privilege.”
Tillson added that she opened her business in February 2022 with two main goals — to provide the best organic, locally roasted coffee available and to brew with purpose.
“Each and every person is perfect,” she said. “They have value and purpose exactly how they are.”
Clark said he is confident the Pride with Purpose campaign will be a success, due in large part to Cazenovia’s generosity and acceptance of the LGBTQIA community.
“I’d be extremely grateful to everyone if we could raise $1,500 to $2,000 for the LGBTQIA youth programs at BRiDGES Madison County — a reputable non-profit organization with strong leadership and great programs for the LGBTQIA youth, their families, and allies,” he said.
According to Clark, Otis + Matilda will be collaborating with Purpose Coffee Co. on another fundraiser in mid-2023.
“I’m always open to partnering with other local businesses that share common interests and have a mission to give back,” he added.
To learn more about BRiDGES and its LGBTQIA Network, visit bridgescouncil.org/lgbtqia/.
