Mather's Models Are Tops at Annual Thrift Fashion Show

The ladies (and a smattering of gentlemen) came out to on Monday to see models strut the runway showing off the latest fashion wear like it was Fashion Week in New York City. The difference was that all the clothing was picked from donations given to the Thrift Shop and the models were volunteers from the Ladies Auxiliary.

For the 37th year, the Mather Hospital Ladies Auxiliary hosted a , their biggest fundraising event of the year. The show capped off a year that has seen more business in thrift because of a down economy. The room was packed with volunteers and guests, all ladies who came for lunch, raffles and fashion.

"This is our single most important fundraiser of the year," said Eleanor Tisall, a volunteer at the Thrift Shop.

Two large tables packed with gift baskets were auctioned off, arranged by volunteer Lorraine Altman who put the baskets together all on her own. There were also raffle items that included a 42-inch plasma television and two orchestra tickets to Jersey Boys at the August Wilson Theatre in New York for first and second prizes respectively.

But the centerpiece of the day was the thrift fashion show. The models showed off three outfits each, morning, daytime and evening wear. Everyone had fun as the women strutted across the center of the room with some models eliciting cheers and whistles for their runway turns.

The emphasis here is thrift. A brand new looking winter white suit with a red blouse modeled during the daytime clothing session was priced at $20. Another black and white set was selling for $27.

According to Dot Milau, Treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary, the event pulls in close to $3,000 every year between the tickets and the raffles. It's a fun event that everyone looks forward to attending and being a part of.

"We've been doing this since 1972," said Milau. "It's a wonderful fundraiser for the hospital and lots of hard work goes into it. "

She said that she's always amazed at the clothes that they get in the thrift shop to model. The next day people can come in to purchase some of the clothing viewed at the show.

Milau said that the holiday season is a very busy for the thrift shop and volunteers work very hard this time of year.

"They earn every penny they make, which is nothing since they're all volunteers," she joked.

The thrift shop is located adjacent to Mather Hospital at 75 North Country Road and sells quality donated items for a low price to benefit the hospital. According to Milau the average price of an item in the thrift shop is between $3 and $5.

"But boutique items can be a little more," she said.

For most clothing stores a down economy is bad for business but the thrift shop has naturally seen an uptick in traffic in recent years.

"The economy is doing wonders for us," said Milau. "People who have never shopped in one before are coming in to the thrift shop."