Betty Be Good Raises $10,000 for Human Trafficking Survivors

Blaine and Bellingham clothier Betty Be Good shared some of its goodness this fall with a Whatcom County refuge for survivors of human trafficking and prostitution.

For the fifth anniversary of its Blaine store, the company hosted a fashion show and concert in October that raised $10,000 for Engedi Refuge, a Christian-based program in Lynden.

Engedi Refuge provides addiction counseling, residential treatment, education, and job training through its housing facilities and counseling and learning centers. As of spring 2018, the program had helped more than 40 survivors. The Hebrew word “engedi” means an oasis, sanctuary, or safe haven.

Suzanne Smith, owner of Betty Be Good, says the store works with different charities and wanted to do something bigger and more meaningful than past work.

“I was overwhelmed,” Smith says. “It was a secret goal of mine that we would raise that much at the event. Then, it was announced we had raised $10,000 and that was incredible.”

Smith says an anonymous donor contributed a $3,500 matching gift that helped. Hosting more fundraisers is something Smith hopes to do. “It’s a dream of ours to have it annually and with the response we just had I think we’ll be able to do that,” Smith says.

1301 W. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham
8125 Birch Bay Square St., Blaine
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