How it all started...
The Nottage Project was founded by Allegra and Brian Nottage, a wife and husband team in Collegeville, PA. The organization developed through a series of ideas and “projects” that the team had in mind to support their local community.
The Nottage Project started with one “project” in 2011 supporting The Good Samaritan Shelter in Phoenixville, PA. Founders Allegra and Brian Nottage hosted a Giving Drive to collect gloves, hats, blankets, and other items for residents of the shelter. Using their community of friends, family, and work colleagues, The Nottage Project delivered more than 40 bags of items to the shelter.
During the project, gracious friends offered their gently used clothing to the project. Along with the bins upon bins of clothes that Allegra and Brian had in their basement, they soon realized that they could help clothe local residents in need. From this idea, grew a clothing bank. From a simple, uncomplicated idea - to a volunteer run grassroots organization!
Allegra Nottage, Founder & President
The Nottage Project started with one “project” in 2011 supporting The Good Samaritan Shelter in Phoenixville, PA. Founders Allegra and Brian Nottage hosted a Giving Drive to collect gloves, hats, blankets, and other items for residents of the shelter. Using their community of friends, family, and work colleagues, The Nottage Project delivered more than 40 bags of items to the shelter.
During the project, gracious friends offered their gently used clothing to the project. Along with the bins upon bins of clothes that Allegra and Brian had in their basement, they soon realized that they could help clothe local residents in need. From this idea, grew a clothing bank. From a simple, uncomplicated idea - to a volunteer run grassroots organization!
Allegra Nottage, Founder & President
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Her Story...Growing up in Charlottesville, Virginia as the oldest of three children and the only girl, Allegra was shaped and strongly influenced by both her mother and her late grandmother Vivian. They taught her so much about life, giving, and reaching out to support others. Her father was a Vietnam veteran who returned to the United States very troubled around the war. His experiences shaped the rest of his life and the lack of support upon his return led to long, consistent periods of poverty and at times homelessness. These are things that I hold close to me as I reach within to now provide a hand to those in need of a lift. This is extremely important to me. "Everyone deserves a chance in life. Everyone deserves an opportunity. Everyone deserves support during times of need and transition. It's really that simple."
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His StoryBrian was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas. He grew up in a family full of community, political, and business leaders. Brian came to the United States during his Junior year of high school to complete his studies at The Knox School in Long Island, NY. Building an adult life in the United States with his wife and children, Brian has learned so much about the importance of local outreach no matter where it's back home in the Bahamas or his current home in the United States.
"I want my children to always know, understand, and appreciate the diversity in this world. This means diversity of ideas, background, color, economic situation, and everything else that makes us all special and unique. When they understand, accept, and appreciate these things, this allows them to step outside of their own world to help others during times of need. This is extremely important to me." |