French humanitarian coming to Sawmill Creek Shops

HURON TWP. — The founder of a French charity will be at the Sawmill Creek Shops Sunday, Dec. 8.The shop is one of only three places in the U.S., where people can buy the Villa des Perfumes line developed by one of the world's most esteemed perfumers."The sale of this perfume helps to equip and empower at-risk kids seven days a week," said Dixie Vermeeren, the shop's general merchandise manager. "With every purchase, you're changing lives."All proceeds from the perfume go to help fund the organization Perfums de Vie, which tries to better the lives of underprivileged children and families in France.The Sawmill Creek Shops started to sell the perfume after Vermeeren befriended the organization's founders Nicole and Vincent Derieux.The organization is set to be honored by World Vision's "Strong Women Strong World," which recognizes influential people who have addressed poverty's effect on women and girls and made efforts to fight for women's rights and empowerment.Nicole is traveling to New York City for the ceremony on Dec. 6 with some of the girls the organization helped.Before she travels back to France, Nicole will make a quick detour Sunday, Dec. 8, to the Sawmill Creek Shops off Cleveland Road in Huron Township."We feel it's important for our community and customers to understand the work Nicole and Vincent are doing in this world," Vermeeren said. "We're honored and excited that she will be here to share her story."Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterSawmill merchandise general merchandise manager Dixie Vermeeren poses with the display of Villa des Perfumes at the Sawmill Creek Shop on Monday, Dec. 10, 2018.