Ferndale Woman Raises Money Online To Bring Solar Lights, Supplies To Nepal

(WWJ) Mallory Brown had been planning a trip to Nepal for quite awhile, so when Saturday's earthquake struck, she decided to maintain her plan to visit -- with a twist.

Brown, 28, of Ferndale, leaves very early Thursday morning for a 24-hour trip to the ravaged land. Brown is bringing waterproof, inflatable lights that charge on solar power during the day and provide 8 to 10 hours of light at night.

She's raised $6,000 so far for the lights and other things she plans to bring through crowdrise, a fundraising program that brings good works to places around the world.

"It's clean energy, it's perfect for families that are living in a tent at night, this is going to provide them light for the first time," Brown said, describing the lanterns. It's a way for people to keep working after the sun goes down.

Brown is bringing a videographer on her trip so donors can get a birds-eye view of exactly where the money is going.

"I think it's really what I'm meant to do in life," Brown told WWJ's Greg Bowman.

She added: "I don't look at it as a sacrifice, it's really my privilege to do it."

This isn't Brown's first foray into the world of giving. Five years ago, she founded World Clothes Line, an online "buy one, give one" apparel brand. The organization matches each customer's purchase, giving clothing to people in impoverished areas.

To donate directly to the Nepal Disaster Relief fundraiser, visit www.crowdrise.com/MalloryinNepal. To purchase clothing from World Clothes Line, visit www.WorldClothesLine.com/Shop.