Rescues & Runways: Fashion, Fur and Fun for a Good Cause

This Saturday, Sept. 12 at 12:30 p.m., a very unique event will take place at the Roseburg Valley Mall.  A maurices fashion show to benefit three Douglas County animal welfare agencies will feature volunteer models wearing the latest maurices fall fashions, along with an adoptable pet! The event is part of maurices’ month-long Rescues & Runways initiative. More than 700 maurices stores across the US are holding pet food and supply donation drives and fashion shows to benefit their local animal shelters.

The fashion show will benefit Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center, New Beginnings SPCA and Umpqua Valley Humane Society.

Mooi, an adorable adoptable kitten at New Beginnings SPCA in Roseburg.

The stage will be set up inside the mall right in front of maurices (next to Macy’s).  Music will be provided by DJ Rich of Roseburg. Audience members will receive a 20 percent-off coupon to use on a regular-priced item!

Fashion, fur and music will be quite the combination– and a first for the rather small mall– but it is all for a good cause.

A silent auction will take place during the fashion show, with all proceeds benefiting the animal welfare agencies. I’ve been very impressed with businesses’ and peoples’ generosity for donating to our auction baskets. We will have some great auction baskets up for bids, including a maurices-themed basket with a $25 gift card.

But this is not just a local affair. On a national scale, maurices has partnered with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to promote awareness of animal shelters and the increasing need they are facing due to the nation’s struggling economy.

The ASPCA will receive a minimum donation of $500,000 from maurices. Also, the campaign goal is for maurices stores across the nation to collect 500,000 pounds of food and supplies for their local animals shelters.

I’m very excited to see more and more donations come into the Roseburg maurices each day, and I’m hoping that with this weekend’s fashion show, the donation box will fill up– several times! Donations are accepted throughout September, and customers who donate receive one 20 percent-off coupon (or more, depending on how much donated).  Items needed include: dog and cat food, cat litter, small blankets and towels, basic grooming and cleaning supplies, food dishes and stainless steel bowls. Cash donations will be accepted at the fashion show.

I’ve had so much fun leading my store on this event and I look forward to seeing the outcome. I put this thing together rather quickly (most stores are not doing their fashion show until Sept. 19 or later). The experience has taught me many lessons– and the show hasn’t even begun! I will definitely write another post highlighting the event and my experience.

Also, make sure to check out the photos of the event, which I will post on my Flickr stream.