The Temple, Goodwill partner to raise funds, prove that clothes don't have to cost a fortune
Originally published November 20, 2009
By Nancy Luse
News-Post Staff
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Photo by Travis Pratt
The Temple was the setting for a fashion show to benefit a new program at Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley Inc. |
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The world of fashion is full of New York-style glamour, million-dollar models and outfits that cost as much as a month's rent. But not this past weekend in Frederick .Instead, the models strutting the runway at The Temple Paul Mitchell Partner School were volunteers, and the clothes they wore cost between $11 and $15, said Luis Rivera, admissions leader for the school, which turns out hairstylists, nail technicians and makeup artists. Last Saturday's show was a partnership between the school at 22 W. Church St. and Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley Inc., which covers Frederick and Carroll counties and is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Goodwill's mission is to help those with employment challenges as well as teaching basic life skills by hiring them at their chain of stores. Goodwill stores are stocked with donations from the community and it was there that the fashion show organizers selected clothes for the runway. "We were able to get everything we needed," Rivera said, for the show that spanned the past 40 years to coincide with Goodwill's anniversary, including a "fabulous pair of espadrilles from the '70s." The models, some of them Goodwill employees, but most from The Temple, looked like they were having a blast gliding down the runway to music that matched the era -- the models for the '80s, for instance, moving to Madonna's "Material Girl." Favorite outfits, from a lipstick red disco dress to Jane Fonda workout gear, to the man who removed his vest and tossed it to the audience, drew shouts and furious applause. Elissa Gross, Goodwill's director of marketing and development, said she first approached Sharon Riser, who co-owns The Temple with her husband, Charles Riser, after hearing Sharon address the local Women's Giving Circle about the importance of philanthropy. "We wanted to do a fashion show, and who better to partner with?" Gross said. "We offered the fashions, and they recruited the models." She said she was impressed by the clothes the design teams selected, as well as the creative hairstyles and makeup. "They put a lot of work and effort into it." Proceeds from the show are going to a new program at Goodwill to provide outreach to people who are eligible for food stamps, but are not participating. Cindy Freeman, director of workforce development, said Goodwill has received a federal grant that has to be matched by 50 percent. Part of the program is to reach out to the senior population to ensure they're receiving proper nutrition. Before the fashion show, the Risers promoted the importance of giving, with Charles saying that "We believe volunteering is the rent we pay for living on this planet." Sharon also praised the selection at Goodwill stores. "Especially with the economy, we need to be dressing smarter, not spending as much." With the most expensive outfit coming in at $15, that might not be so hard to do. "The outfits are all for sale," Gross told the audience.
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