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newlenoxpatriot.com NEWS
the New Lenox Patriot | April 6, 2017 | 3
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Locals come in fashion for fundraiser
Amanda Del Buono
Freelance Reporter
From flowing summer
dresses to casual tops and
jeans to formal wear, the
New Lenox Lions Club’s
ninth annual Garden Party
Fashion Show showcased
the latest trends available
from small businesses in the
community.
“I like seeing what’s available
in my town; keep it local,”
said Denise Autero, a
New Lenox resident who
has attended the event every
year since its inception.
The New Lenox Lions
Club held its annual fashion
show March 26. The event,
which attracted about 150
people, took place at VFW
Post 9545, located at 323 Old
Hickory Road in New Lenox.
An organization dedicated
to its community, the Lions
Club’s fashion show highlighted
about 35 local models
— men and women —
wearing clothing, shoes and
accessories from four local
boutiques: Flirty on 30 Boutique
(306 W. Maple Street in
New Lenox), Moody Blues
Boutique (1844 E. Lincoln
Highway in New Lenox),
Simple Rose Boutique
(19070 Everett Blvd. in Mokena)
and Black Tie Formalwear
(16100 S. La Grange
Road in Orland Park).
The event is one of four annual
fundraisers for the New
Lenox Lions Club, and all
proceeds will go toward providing
eye exams and glasses,
access to vision and hearing
testing, Christmas baskets to
families in need, scholarships
to area students and more, it
said in a statement.
The event is estimated to
net approximately $3,000
to $4,000 for the organization,
said Dave Wheeler,
president of the New Lenox
Lions Club. More than a
Adam (left) and Andrew Short sell raffle tickets March 26
before the New Lenox Lions Club’s Garden Party Fashion
Show at VFW Post 9545 in New Lenox.
Adam Jomant/22nd Century Media
dozen Lions volunteer their
time to put on the event.
“What we enjoy is coming
together to put it up and enjoy
one another’s coming helping
when we can to make it
successful,” Wheeler said.
While the event contributes
to the organization’s
fundraising efforts, it also
acts as an effort to embrace
women in the organization,
said Lisa Kline, fashion
show chairperson and former
president of the New
Lenox Lions Club.
“What we want to do is
promote women in Lionism,”
she said. “Women are
the fastest-growing segment
in Lions Club International.”
In addition to the fashion
show, the event included a
lunch with wine, a 50/50
raffle, door prizes and a silent
auction. The silent auction
featured a dozen items, all donated
by local businesses and
community organizations.
“[Local businesses] help
support us,” Kline said.
“They help us in fundraising
efforts, whether it’s setting
up a booth at the fashion
show or donating a silent
auction item.”
Among the five vendor
booths at the event, Kim
Judge, a Lockport resident,
who sells Seacret Complete
Skincare, has presented her
product at the event for a
few years.
“I come just to pamper
women and celebrate the Lions
Club and share the wellness
opportunities I have
with the women that are
here,” Judge said. “It’s been
a nice atmosphere, and I’ve
enjoyed myself.”
However, local businesses
weren’t the only ones showing
their support.
Cheryl Baggs, owner of
Toplist Karaoke with Cheryl,
was the DJ for the event and
has contributed to the event
for the past several years.
“It’s a good cause, and a
nice Sunday afternoon,” she
said.
Carol McGowan, of
WCCQ, has emceed for several
years, as well.
“It’s just a good cause to
come to and raise money for,
and I get to see people that I
only get to see once a year,
here,” McGowan said.
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