By Maria Cummings, founder
I’m so grateful you’ve taken a moment to learn about Amazing Grace Charities! This is the result of a vision that started to form in the early 90’s, when I began to tire of living with a troubled heart when donating items. I was never sure where those items went (“Did the item join a pile so high in the back room they become destroyed?” “Did that item actually help someone who needed it?” “Is the item in landfill?”). Even consignment wasn’t fulfilling my need to know I was helping others.
I faced these questions more often than the usual consumer thanks to experiences through my image consulting and closet organization business, Transformations by Maria. My clients and I were looking for a way to truly give to those in need!
Early 2000’s
I began serving as the liaison for my client’s donations with their confidence in knowing I would find an individual, family, or organization where those items would help in changing another person’s living circumstances. The items would be stored in my car and home while I made connections with agencies that had a direct relationship with helping those in need.
During the winter months, I’d make sure my car had coats, socks and anything else that would offer some level of comfort from the elements. When I’d see a person who was homeless, I’d pull over and give them what they needed from my car’s inventory.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit and AGC’s mission began to spread through word of mouth. It didn’t take long before non-clients were calling to contribute donations or request Transformations by Maria services because they knew that unwanted/unused items would go to someone who truly needed it.
After years of working with nonprofits and other charities, my husband and I, with our own money, began one of the first charities that knew every receiver, every donor, where every item and every dollar goes.
AGC Resale Boutique opens
As the donation of designer bags, clothes, and other luxury items increased, I leaned on my years of retail experience. These items could help those in need as high-quality inventory sold within a resale boutique! In 2014, we opened the brick-and-mortar location for AGC Boutique and it has become the primary source of funding for the charity.
2020 and beyond
More than a decade later,
My husband, Will, passed away in 2021 after a 15-year battle with cancer. Through our nearly 43 years of marriage, his support in me and the Amazing Grace Charities mission never wavered, and he was always my biggest cheerleader.
Thanks to community support, Amazing Grace Charities continues to thrive. Donations continue to change lives. We cannot do this alone – but together, we can.
