SOS! The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show Needs Gently Worn Fashion: Clean Those Closets Out NOW!

 

Calling all North Texas Realtors and home sellers. You need to clean out your closets. You really do. I have no doubt your agent has told you they want that master closet 2/3rds less full when that house is shown, right? Don’t fret, we all have too many clothes. Raise your hand if there are dresses in your closet with tags still on that you have never worn? (Guilty!) Those clothes have to go somewhere, and  we have the perfect place for them to go: a fashion show!

Where was I the other day that I ran into the beautiful Carmaleta Whiteley, who is chairing The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show & Luncheon — “Twenty-five Years of Giving” — on May 2? Was it the ULI dinner? (Carmaleta was in commercial real estate for years.) Or was it that event for Bella homes on March 23? In any case, Carmaleta alerted me to the fact that they had not received as many fashion donations this year as they have in year’s past.

What? With all those giant closets in Dallas?

You do know about this fashion show event, right? There is a fashion show produced by the tireless Jan Strimple that features gently worn chic fashions. But it’s also an annual shop-til-you-drop that is mighty addicting: the clothes are all donated by the city’s most fashionable, tasteful mavens… which is about half the female population of North Texas. I mean, why did Bravo come here to find Real Housewives?

Since the frocks are donated, prices are incredible and you will snag finds that will make you smile from now to 2030. (I have a black Oscar top I picked up a few years back that still makes me happy when I wear it because it was like $25.)  The proceeds benefit one of the best organizations in town, the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army operates 7,546 centers across the United States. These include food distribution, disaster relief, rehabilitation centers, anti-human trafficking efforts, and a wealth of children’s programs. The work is funded mostly through kettle donations — those familiar kettles we see at Christmas —  corporate contributions, and the sale of goods donated to the Salvation Army Family Stores. Here is what I love best about this organization: 82 cents of every dollar they spend supports their various missions across the country. The Salvation Army was started by William Booth in London in 1867, Booth being a minister who wished to administer to the throngs of suffering in the streets of London, where they needed help the most.

The Dallas Women’s Auxiliary of the Salvation Army is a completely volunteer fundraising and volunteer service group. They fill children’s backpacks with school supplies, put gifts and essentials in Santa Sacks at Christmas, and collect summer time necessities for Camper Care Kits.  They work tirelessly at the Angel Tree and Kettles at NorthPark, and each year distribute Angel Tree gifts at the Christmas and Disaster Center. This luncheon is one of their biggest events.

The 2016 luncheon’s honorary chairs even include a Dallas Realtor: Myrna Schlegel, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Kari Schlegel Kloewer, and Krystal Schlegel. Karen Dealy is President.

Carmaleta says she started collecting clothing, shoes, scarves, handbags, jewelry and men’s clothing last year — the drop off is at Tootsie’s through April 31 — but they just need more. So I challenge you Realtors out there to help your clients pare down their closets right now and gather some sweet, barely worn goodies for The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show & Luncheon.

Remember, there are TWO drop off spots: one is Tootsie’s (8300 Preston Road, right across from that new cake store where everyone is waiting in line forever) and at the Christmas & Disaster Center, 9216 Harry Hines Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Clothing must be gently worn or new. The Salvation Army has extended the date for drop offs until April 12!

“And don’t forget, we take men’s clothing too, ” adds Carmaleta.  “We need shoes, we need handbags, we need jewelry. We’d love to have men’s clothes fill those racks.

Oh and it’s not too late to buy a ticket to the luncheon, either. Starts at 10:00 am at the Omni Dallas, get your morning “juice” and shop, the fashion show starts at 11:30 am and Ron Corning is emceeing. Woohoo.  Individual tickets begin at $250 – but availability is limited. $500 for individual tickets. Underwriting begins at $1,500 to $50,000.

Visit the web site at  http://www.sawadallas.org call 214-637-8121 or email [email protected]