We recently hosted our third annual SECOND RUNWAY fashion show at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke. This year we made some changes to the event, moving all pre-show festivities to Fitzpatrick Hall, including Goodwill as one of the vendors instead of setting up a complete store, and omitting intermission from the show. Today’s Good News? All the changes were very well received, and once again the show raised nearly $40,000 to support Goodwill training and employment programs that help people get back to work and gain greater independence.
For the third year the show highlighted the amazing fashions that receive a “second” life when they are donated and then purchased in a Goodwill store. But more importantly, those attending saw lives that were impacted through the “second” chance they received through participation in Goodwill training and employment programs. Fashion show segments for Back to School, Weekend, Work, Costumes, Evening Out/Cocktail, and Prom/Wedding were separated by videos of Goodwill program participants telling their stories in their own words…
Since the show we have been repeatedly asked two questions:
- Do you really find all of the clothes at local Goodwill stores? Yes, some of you may have seen us shopping!
- Do you shop and save fashions all year to be included in the show? No, we find all the fashions just a few weeks before the show.
Models provide us with their sizes by the end of June. We then start shopping, typically several trips over the course of about two weeks. There is usually a team of between three and seven of us shopping a store at one time. We take a list of the sizes we need for each fashion show segment and we hit the racks to shop for more than 50 models. We are always amazed by the generosity of Goodwill donors; name brands, great quality, and even new with tags. But this is something that Goodwill faithful shoppers have known for years! Take a look at our slideshow for some great examples of this generosity!
A special thank you to William Mahone Photography for the great photos from the event. View all of the pictures from SECOND RUNWAY by clicking here.
We have also created a playlist on YouTube with all the videos from SECOND RUNWAY including the commercial, Flashion Mob footage, and the video vignettes. Click here to view the playlist.
Missed the show this year? We will host SECOND RUNWAY 2013 next August. Stay tuned for more information.
Finally, we could not do it without all of our sponsors and volunteers. You are truly the success behind SECOND RUNWAY. Thank you for your support of Goodwill!
A special thank you to Platinum Sponsors:
Triangle Realtors
StellarOne
EHS Support Services
Kroger, Bistro at Bonsack
Gold Sponsors:
Carilion Clinic
Lanford Brothers
Lila Dickerson with Business Solutions
Jewell, Inc.
Bella Magazine
Pro Inc.
Sanico
Comcast
Roanoke Gas Company
Silver Sponsors:
Anthem
Lumos Networks
Aramark
Fresh Look Cleaning
Mutual of Omaha
Carpenter Francisco & Associates, LLC
Blue Ridge Dental Group
Cintas
Delta Dental
Vendors that participated in the Shopping Extravaganza include:
Miche Bags & Peacock Image
Nerium International
Pampered Chef
She’s International
Silpada Designs
Mary Kay
Virginia Blossoms
This sounds like an outstanding event! Congratulations!