Two Skirts Raises $7,600 for the Telluride Medical Center

Photo Courtesy of Kristen Holbrook

Betsy Muennich, a nurse at the Telluride Medical Center, vowed to update her community of the latest COVID-19 news via a neighborhood text chain. She answered neighbors’ burning questions and offered advice on how to stay safe. Is it okay to lend out Legos? Yes, but first load the toys in a gallon of water with a cap full of bleach. Another neighbor asked if dogs could transmit the virus. Just wash your hands no matter what!

Muennich even collaborated with her neighbors to start a drive collecting oxygen concentrators for the breathing impaired, all outside of her full-time position as a nurse.  

She became the community’s go-to, but she was exhausted — one day completing 521 single blood draws. But what Muennich didn’t know at the time was how much she inspired the community to take action in their own ways, according to one of her neighbors Kristin Holbrook. 

Holbrook, owner of Two Skirts boutique on Main Street, was craving to give back and continue the legacy demonstrated in her neighborhood. 

Kate Wadley, the director of philanthropy for the Telluride Medical Center, knew how Holbrook could help. Wadley started the medical center’s nonprofit in 2008 and launched the COVID-19 Response Fund in the beginning of March to help support the center’s fight in the pandemic.

Wadley herself is a one-person foundation. She not only raised the money, controlled the accounting and spoke to donors, but personally brought in 35 lunches every day to staff as well as providing healthy snacks to physicians on the front line. 

“Our staff had increased responsibilities wearing multiple hats,” she shares. “A healthy snack and lunch really helps them get through the day.”

So when Holbrook offered to contribute, Wadley was ecstatic. She says the medical center has had an extremely positive support system from locals and second homeowners alike. 

Holbrook had the idea to sell “Telluride” sweaters as a fundraiser for the Telluride Medical Center COVID-19 fund. Two Skirts pledged to give 10 percent of all Telluride sales to the center. It was not just a way for her to generate sales as a small business owner, but to help fight against the virus in her town. 

The support was overwhelming. Wadley says she ordered a grey sweater because the blue color sold out fast. 

“I knew people loved Telluride, but this reaction was amazing,” Holbrook shares. She was in the store at the crack of dawn every day shipping out orders. 

In April, a former Telluride resident named Liza Thornton approached Holbrook about her fundraiser — she wanted to match Two Skirts’ donation. Together the two women wrote two checks to the Telluride Medical Center. Holbrook had one more anonymous community member match it the same month as well.

In addition, one of Holbrook’s sales reps in California, Peter Russel, reached out about donating with his brand Moussy Jeans. Holbrook added his jeans to her fundraiser at the 10 percent donation rate on top of Peter matching the 10 percent. Together they collected close to $1,000. 

Holbrook’s final number: $7,600. 

“Our respect and appreciation for Kristin to lead the charge, think outside the box and raise awareness — plus the customers who matched the gift — was amazing,” says Wadley. 

The Telluride Medical Center is small but mighty, offering ample amounts of accessible testing for the coronavirus to the tight-knit Telluride community. 

“If there is a second wave this summer and the medical center needs additional funds, I would be willing to bring the sweater fundraiser back to life,” Holbrook notes. “I’m always open to new ideas to help.”