People Give to Housing Opportunities, Receive Fashion Know-How at Fashion Show

Friends Assisting Women in Need (FAWN) put on a spectacular event to benefit Housing Opportunities, Inc. at Avalon Manor in Merrillville this past Thursday, September 9, 2010. FAWN's annual Fashion Show, Dinner and Silent Auction drew over 300 people all over from Porter, Lake, and LaPorte counties. Ready for a good, fashionable time, guests were enjoying one another's company as they were eating their evening meal as well as checking out and bidding on the endless amount of silent auction items. And endless was an understatement. Items included everything from your grandma's bicycle to jewelry to coffee makers. As there were no shortage of auction items, there were no tight wallets at this fundraiser either. Actually before the auction even started, FAWN received $15,000-$18,000 through their initiated letters to different businesses and entities. Once the fundraiser is over, the expected amount to go to Housing Opportunities will total around $45,000, which is usually the largest yield that Housing Opportunities recieves throughout the year.

"It's unbelievable because peoples' hearts are where they should be -- for the homeless," said June Wilson, Treasurer for FAWN.

Housing Opportunities and FAWN have had a good relationship over the years and FAWN is, no doubt, tremendous in pooling resources and contacts together for a successful event. FAWN is a 501(c)3 organization primarily aiding homeless and/or abused women and children in the form of providing housing, education, and relocation. In other words, Housing Opportunities is a perfect recipient for their fundraiser as they are the largest provider for homeless people in Porter and LaPorte counties serving 3,617 clients with 64% of those clients being women.

"Alot of people don't think in Porter and LaPorte counties that there are any homeless," explained Caroline Shook, CEO for Housing Opportunities. "I think it helps to increase the awareness [of homelessness], and anytime we can do that people realize we have to help each other."

Not only did attendees come to to help others who are less fortunate, they received help themselves -- with their wardrobe. Fashionable fall outfits for men and women from Seasons on the Square, La Grande Trunk, and L.R. Men's Clothier in LaPorte were displayed as handsome models worked the runway. Although a few hindrances came about during the show (i.e. fire alarm), everyone ended up having a good time anyways enjoying the different styles of clothes or just having a laugh with the models as they struted their stuff.

For more information on Housing Opportunities or how to donate to their cause, click here to go their website.

To see a few photos from the event including the fashion show, click here.