Through hosting a fashion show fundraiser, Laurel House raised money and awareness for their programs. The event was held at Pine Crest Country Club on September 28 with models that were Laurel House staff and volunteers.
The money raised through the fundraiser will go towards Laurel House’s services in the community.
“This fundraiser will be used for wherever there is a gap in our program budgets and it will probably be used for programs up in the North Penn area,” Laurel House Executive Director Beth Sturman said.
Laurel House has several programs and services, such as a 24 hour hotline, counseling, transitional housing, crisis response, education, shelters, and more.
“Their services probably go beyond what most people think. [People] probably don’t realize how extensive their services throughout the entire county are,” model Donna Bethman said.
Along with financial and legal support, Laurel House offers emotional support to domestic violence victims.
“Not only do they provide resources, support, education and awareness, but they also provide friendship and empathetic support,” model Kristen Gibbons-Feden said. “It’s not just tangible resources, but resources that survivors have utilized and have found to be very successful in trying to get past the traumatic event of abuse.”
Laurel House acts throughout Montgomery County, dealing with both domestic violence and teen dating violence.
“They literally do save lives. They’re there to help people in this community and beyond escape a dangerous situation. They’ve really helped a lot of people change their life,” Laurel’s Loft manager Jenny Golden said.
The fashion show was fully booked and had a turnout of 150 attendees. All clothes worn by the models came from Laurel’s Loft, a thrift store owned by Laurel House.
“We have a thrift store that we get fabulous stuff in and so many people don’t know about us,” model Anita Capps said.
The fashion show helps Laurel’s Loft display their clothes to the community to garner more business. In turn, Laurel’s Loft aids Laurel House and the relief that Laurel House gives to domestic violence victims.
“It’s a great way to bring attention to domestic violence and to showcase the thrift store,” Capps said.
Clothes are donated to Laurel’s Loft “almost every day,” Sturman said.
Some donated clothing is given to domestic violence victims who cannot go back to their residence to get their own.
“Laurel’s Loft provides not only charitable support for Laurel House, but it also provides clothing for those women and men survivors who have to leave their house immediately and don’t really have other resources,” Gibbons-Feden said.
Attendees were able to buy raffle tickets at the event, 25 costing $20 and 50 costing $35. Winners were announced before the fashion show started, in between outfit changes, and after the fashion show ended.
Lansdale attendee Mary Beth Altomare said that winning one of the raffles was not the highlight of the fashion show, but seeing people enjoy themselves.