Legion Auxiliary fashion show draws capacity crowd
In spite of the heavy rains, the American Legion hall was filled to capacity for the annual American Legion Auxiliary fashion show.
“We’ve had the same company doing these fashion shows for more than 10 years,” Auxiliary President Claudine Alvarez said. “This year we have Nan Patterson from Island Time Fashion and Gifts. I’m very happy to have a local business for this fashion show.”
“This is my first year here at the American Legion Auxiliary,” Patterson said. “We have 10 models showing our casual, beach, cruise and evening dress fashions.”
“The American Legion Auxiliary will be donating the proceeds from this fashion show to the homeless female veterans center in Punta Gorda,” Alvarez said. “Many of these women returning are facing the psychological after effects of the war and at the same time raising children. I understand that facilities are scarce and some of these women with children are being housed in other government buildings like prisons.”
The center provides support services for veterans families, housing vouchers and a women’s veterans health care program.
“We’ve had help from CW Fudge Factory in Matlacha who donated a decorated dark chocolate shoe with truffles to be auctioned off,” Alvarez said. “The winning bid for the shoe was $110.”
Several other local businesses donated door prizes and the Auxiliary created the grand prize of a loaded spa basket, which raised more than $500.
“We raised more than $850 from this fashion show,” Alvarez said. “All proceeds from the luncheon, raffle and auction will go to support homeless women veterans.”