Elevated fashion fundraiser

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This article was published 07/08/2024 (763 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fashion and philanthropy will walk hand in hand at the inaugural Acorn Family Place fashion-show fundraiser.

On Friday at 6 p.m., the Sanctuary at 222 Furby St. will come alive, showcasing stylish outfits and highlighting the impact of Acorn’s programs and services.

Acorn Family Place, formerly known as Wolseley Family Place, has been a cornerstone of the community since its incorporation in 2000. Known for its wide range of services, including family counselling, parenting program and a clothing depot, Acorn provides support to families who need it.

“I’ve been here since 2015, and it’s wonderful to see participants come and shop in our clothing depot for free and then parade their outfits and share the treasures they’ve found,” says Melissa Perron, the manager of operations at Acorn Family Place and one of the event’s organizers.

“At some point, I thought, ‘We need to share this happiness with the world; people need to experience this first-hand.’ That’s how I came up with the idea of a fashion show with the donations.”

The event will not only showcase the resilience and creativity of the community but also highlight the sustainable impact of the clothing depot, Perron says.

All outfits featured in the show are sourced from donations and will be modelled by Acorn Family Place participants. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on the outfits.

Arlene Sumner, one of the models and a longtime participant at Acorn Family Place, says she’s looking forward to the show.

“I’m pretty excited and a little nervous. It’s fun knowing that the clothes we wear are going to be used by other people again,” she says.

“She’s actually wearing one of the shirts from the clothing depot right now,” Perron adds with a chuckle.

Sumner first came to Acorn Family Place for the baby programs they offered and has stayed connected ever since.

“I’ve been part of Acorn for a couple of years now; they have a lot of good programs. It’s nice to have some support,” she says.

Perron says they want more people to know about the services they provide.

“We offer a lot of different programs, from parenting classes to wellness outreach. We have child care on site, and everything is free, so the support of the community is needed,” she says,

Preparation for the event has been in full swing for weeks, Summer says.

“It’s been great so far, and I’m getting more connected with other participants. My daughter, who’s only one, will also be on the runway with me, which is nice,” she says.

The event promises to be more than just a fashion show, Perron says.

“There will also be a silent auction with some pretty awesome items. It’s a chance for the community to come together, support our programs and see first-hand the impact of their donations,” she says.

Acorn Family Place has always been about more than just providing services. It’s about walking with families on their journeys, offering support and resources to help them thrive, says Perron.

“We really want Winnipeggers to come and connect with us and see how important these donations are,” she says. “It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting agencies like ours.”

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Acorn Family Place or at wfp.to/acornfashion. For more information, call 204-560-3144.

thandi.vera@freepress.mb.ca