Grandma and her pies are still an inspiration

Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain have Internet fundraising and big-roller donors to fund their campaigns.

June Leonard? She had pies -- turned out in the kitchen of her Renton-area home, usually from apples picked from trees in her own backyard.

It's how Leonard, a mother of nine who became a tireless advocate on children's issues and eventually a state legislator, financed her campaigns.

"She auctioned the pies off at her fundraisers," says Chris Maple, the oldest of Leonard's 19 grandchildren. "They went for outrageous amounts."

Maple, who recalls sometimes "running away to Grandma's house" as a young child, still remembers the aromas of her grandmother's kitchen. But she was nearly grown before she grasped the larger role played by her grandmother, who helped found what is now Renton Area Youth and Family Services (RAYS) and became its first executive director.

That moment came in June 1987 when Maple graduated from Lindbergh High in Renton. Leonard, a former School Board member who was by then a legislator, showed up to present Maple her diploma.

"That was when I realized her impact," Maple says. "Until then, she'd just been Grandma."

In 1994, after a battle with cancer, Leonard collapsed at her home and died. At her service, former Secretary of State Ralph Munro lauded her as "a hero."

Fast-forward 14 years.

The now 38-year-old Maple, inspired by her grandmother's example, is out to make a difference of her own.

This year, she converted what once was her for-profit business -- Borrowed Style Design -- into a nonprofit. Its goal: to enlist volunteer designers to help formerly homeless women moving into more permanent housing to personalize their living space using supplies and materials donated by the community.

Maple calls it "transforming white-walled, sparsely decorated space into a comfortable and inspiring environment."

An ad on Craigslist netted 38 volunteers from communities ranging from Arlington to Lacey.

"What I'm looking for aren't necessarily professional designers but 'design on a dime' type of people, the kind friends turn to when they need advice on how to decorate," says Maple, who is married and has two children. "They need a passion for people -- and a keen sense of color."

The ability to see possibilities in donated items goes a long way, too.

"I've always believed you don't need to make a million dollars a year to have a home that's comfortable and inspiring," she says. "A lot of organizations provide structures for people. The next step seemed to be having people helping them make the interior of that space beautiful."

With her garage already "bulging at the seams" with donated items and several volunteers in similar situations, Maple is actively looking for storage.

"We take vases, mirrors, rugs, lamps and other decorative items but no big furniture or electronics," she says.

Initially, Maple plans to work with women helped by DAWN (Domestic Abuse Women's Network), a South King County-based program that offers emergency shelter and transitional housing programs for women fleeing domestic violence.

On the Eastside, she's targeting families served by Hopelink, an organization that provides housing and other assistance for families in need. She eventually hopes to include Habitat for Humanity in the program.

Sandi Schram, director of housing for DAWN, says that agency was "thrilled" when Maple approached them with her idea.

For DAWN clients, what Borrowed Style Design will deliver isn't just about home decorating. It's about self-image, respect and a sense that the community cares about them, she says.

"Through BSD, women get a fresh start surrounded by beauty that is a reflection of their individuality and personal taste," Schram says.

Besides asking for donated materials and décor items, Maple also is asking supporters to donate $10 toward the cause, then forward that same request to 10 friends.

"Through this, I've found a passion in myself for helping others that I think my grandma felt her entire life," Maple says.

Last week, Maple e-mailed her large and extended family, updating them on where she is with the effort.

"I think Grandma is smiling," she said in closing.

TO LEARN MORE

For information on Borrowed Style Design, visit borrowedstyledesign.org or call 435-659-0599.