Our Mission
Repurposed Lives seeks to support at-risk children and families while working to reduce textile waste through recycling unwanted stuffed animals and plush toys.
Our Vision
We exist to generate revenue streams to advance sustainable communities and promote permanency-focused programs for at-risk children and families around the world while caring for our environment by recycling, reusing, and restoring discarded and unwanted parts through an innovative social business model.
Our Core Values
Reuse as much of the donated material as possible to generate the most funds possible.
Embrace eco-friendly principles in recycling and in the proper use of resources for product collection and delivery.
Utilize transparency in reporting data related to overall recycling efforts and in beneficiaries served through our proceeds.
Support reputable child welfare programs both in the US and around the world that are focused on sustainability, permanence, and community development.
Educate about the importance of planet care and stewardship through a Christian worldview.
Our Founder
Dawn Stark officially established {Re}purposed Lives in 2021, although the vision for this social business was birthed in her heart many years earlier when she discovered her family had an embarrassing problem with excess stuffed animals. As they were packing up for a move from St. Louis to Sarasota, she was suddenly aware of how profoundly her family was affected by materialism. It broke her heart to see no less than ten yard-size trash bags filled with stuffed animals and plushies that her five children had outgrown. Faced with a dilemma to throw away plushies she could not give away or donate anywhere, she started to explore other redemptive solutions to this problem. Instead of simply contributing her family’s unwanted plush toys to landfills, Dawn found a way to repurpose and recycle stuffed animals and use those revenues to fund programs serving at-risk children and families.
Beyond serving as Founder and {Re}cyler-in-Chief at {Re}purposed Lives, Dawn is a development manager for Operation Blessing where she matches the philanthropic goals and interests of partners to the needs of the most vulnerable worldwide. She holds a B.A. in government/international relations from Regent University and a M.A. in international community development from Southeastern University. Dawn is an author, blogger, public speaker, and beach lover. She writes and shares about her 23-year infertility journey that repurposed her life into being an advocate for the voiceless. She lives in Sarasota, Florida with her husband of 36 years, five children, and a Siberian Husky puppy. Her first book, Called to War, was released in November 2021. 100% of the proceeds from Called to War will be donated to organizations supported by {Re}Purposed Lives.
To learn more or request Dawn to speak at your events, visit: DawnAmsdenStark.com
Our Social Impact
In keeping with our mission, we are excited to report that {Re}Purposed Lives has been able to make a donation to an organization supporting vulnerable families and justice ministries each month since our Etsy store opened in June 2021. We are also committed to recycling textiles safety and responsibly. Here’s a report on our progress to date:
- Total pounds recycled: 120.5
- Total sales in Etsy shop: 27
- Shop reviews: 8 five-star ratings
- Total funds donated: $270
- Total followers on social media: 399
- Total events/ donation drives scheduled: 4
Who We Support:
Bridge A Life
Eden’s Glory
Guardian Angels of SW Florida
Hines Uganda Ministries
International Justice Mission
Lifeline Children’s Service
One More Child
Operation Blessing
Orphan’s Promise
The Twig
Thistle Farms