Established in 2019, the mission of Project Marilyn is to ensure everyone hasa healthy and dignified period. Project Marilyn provides period supplies to those in need with monthly bags containing tampons, pads and hygiene wipes to last through their menstrual cycle. Period supplies are often overlooked and the least donated supplies, so Project Marilyn’s goal is to fill that void.
The nonprofit organization is named after and dedicated to Wendi’s mom, Marilyn. The logo is her photo and her actual signature from her drivers license that Wendi kept after she passed away in 2011 from breast cancer. “I miss my mom so much each day, to do this in her memory makes me feel like she’s still with us,” says Schweigart. “Our Period Posse’s collective goal is to ensure everyone has the supplies needed to have a healthy and dignified period. This is why we have expanded our “Finding Marilyn” initiative and are pleased with partners such as Downtown Summerlin, Uncommons, and the Rainbow Branch of the Clark County Library, offering free products to anyone in need.”
Year to date, in 2022, Project Marilyn has helped more than 57,000 clients and 40 agencies and organizations to have a healthy and dignified period. They continue to support local organizations such as LVMPD, Foundation for Recovery, Shine a Light, Communities in Schools, Foundation for Recovery, Cupcake Girls and Olive Crest. As of this year, they have distributed more than 16,800 bags, a kit intended to have enough supplies for an entire menstrual cycle filled with tampons, pads, panty liners and hygiene wipes. Including bulk items given, breaking down to 640,840 pads (almost doubling last year), 377,349 panty liners, 77,000 hygiene wipes, and 52,602 tampons.
“2 in 5 people cannot afford period supplies in a given year. Period supplies are the least donated supplies with community giving. For as little as $10.00 per month, anyone can give a person dignity with their period. PERIOD,” emphasizes Schweigart. “We are grateful to the community for their continued support; so we too, can help others. I am pleased we now have a mobile, pink Maxi Taxi, to transport items directly to organizations, libraries and those in need. We also partner several times a month with charities, The Just One Project “Pop Up and Give Mobile Markets” and Baby’s Bounty food and diaper distributions.”
Additional partners who have supported and volunteered at Project Marilyn include Draft Kings, Lexicon Bank, IREM 99 Las Vegas, ACOG AFD, Three Square, Desert Newcomers and CCIM of Southern Nevada. Ongoing product support also includes: Alliance For Period Supplies, Health Plan of Nevada, Anthem Medicaid, Period. Inc., Goodwipes and Always.
The Clark County Medical Society Alliance has selected Project Marilyn as its 2022-2023 charity of choice. Since July, CCMSA members and supporters have volunteered 88 individual hours packing 1,430 period kits. The group collects period products at all their events, monthly book club meetings and monthly luncheons and shares links to its members with Amazon where products can be delivered directly to Project Marilyn. They also have an upcoming Spring Luncheon planned in March and all proceeds will be donated to Project Marilyn. Additionally, patrons are encouraged to shop at Vasari for a “Hot Santa” fashion event in Tivoli Village on Dec. 2 from 5 – 8pm where portions of the proceeds will benefit the cause.
Earlier this year, in May, in honor of Schweigart’s Mother, Mondays Dark raised more than $10K in its fundraiser. Project Marilyn, including this year’s 11 other charitable recipients will participate in the end of the year, December 12, 2022 honorary event.
Continually being recognized by giving back to the community, the volunteer group, known as the “Period Posse” was granted the Shining Star Award from the Army National Guard. Founder, Wendi Schweigart, was also recently awarded with the 18th Annual 2021 ATHENA® International Women’s Young Leadership Award presented by the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada and chosen as the 2021 Bronze Award as the winner for “Best Nonprofit” in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s annual “Best of Las Vegas” reader’s poll. For more information, to sponsor a period for $10 or to volunteer, visit projectmarilyn.com.
