'Fashion for a Cause' raises funds for YMCA's annual campaign
Wareham High School auditorium stage was transformed into a runway Saturday afternoon as 35 models participated in the YMCA’s first Fashion for a Cause.
Gleason Family YMCA officials teamed up with JC Penney and Olympia Sports for the event. The businesses loaned the outfits that were used to help raise funds for the Y’s 2017 annual campaign.
The campaign, dubbed “Change Someone’s Tomorrow, Today!,” seeks to raise $500,000 to ensure all have access to Y programs.
“We don’t turn anyone away if they can’t afford a membership,” said YMCA Senior Program Director Lu Brito. “All the money raised here today will go to help anyone in the community who wants to afford a membership.”
Clothes for men women and children were featured in the show that included a variety of fashions, such as “school scene,” “casual,” “camper scene,” “after school activity,” “active wear,” “business,” and “evening.”
Brito himself donned a gray suit and red tie for the business portion. He also served as master of ceremonies for the event, calling out raffle winners with a little help from his son.
The event came together thanks to Willie Rose and Joelle DaCruz, said Brito. Rose had coordinated fundraising fashion shows in the past at Bridgewater State University.
“We couldn’t have done this without them,” said Brito.
To learn more about supporting the Y’s cause and contributing to the 2017 annual campaign, visit one of its branches in Dartmouth, Fall River, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Swansea and Wareham or online at ymcasouthcoast.org.