Kindness begets kindness.
That proved true when Debra Lutsky, founder of digital marketing and design agency Digital Retail Partners, recently experienced a full-circle moment through her company.
Lutsky, who moved to Virginia Beach in 2020, serves on the board of directors of the city's Court Appointed Special Advocates Chapter. CASA recruits, trains, and supports volunteers who advocate for children who are victims of abuse and neglect.
“They really do a lot for kids who need support within the courtroom,” she said.
In an effort to raise awareness of the organization and recruit more volunteers, Digital Retail Partners donated its social media services to CASA. Mr. Lutsky's company focuses on e-commerce and direct-to-consumer brands. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Connecticut, the company employs 10 employees and 5 consultants throughout the United States.
The agency, which pays upfront fees for pro bono work, also has a Shopify website for Hart & Harper, a philanthropic company founded in Northern Virginia two years ago by 11-year-old Paisley-Kate Hammerle and her mother, Melissa. Donated. This business donates 100% of its net proceeds from clothing and handmade bracelets to various causes. Paisley-Kate started the business in honor of her autistic brother and as a way to spread kindness and inclusion.
“She's a little girl who's doing amazing things for other kids,” Lutsky said. “She runs her own business and has raised almost $100,000 for all these wonderful organizations.”
The newly created website went live two days after Christmas last year and had all the bells and whistles needed to expand Heart & Harper's reach.
“It's a fun site. … You can customize a bracelet, you can customize 20 different beads,” Lutsky said. “There's so much negativity in the world, but every time I visit her page I feel happy.”
As a way to say thank you, Paisley-Kate launched the Hart & Harper x DRP collection of bracelets, T-shirts and accessories. Proceeds from purchases of this collection will be donated to the Virginia Beach Chapter of CASA.
Virginia Beach CASA CEO Kate Kosky said in a news release that the collaboration is exciting and will help bring more volunteers on board.
“For many abused children, CASA volunteers are the most stable and kindest adult presence in their lives,” Kosky said.
Last year, Virginia Beach CASA served 133 children, volunteers spent more than 6,250 hours on cases, and more than 95% of advocates' recommendations were accepted by juvenile and family court judges. Kosky said.
“We’re already on track to significantly exceed that number this year,” she said.
If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, sign up online and attend an information session at virginiabeachcasa.org/advocate.
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com
