Goodwill Shows Off Its Fashion Sense While Raising Money

Don’t think of your local Goodwill stores as fashion centers? Think again. Raising the awareness level for what is really available at the seven Goodwill outlets in the valley and raising money for the non-profit’s workforce training programs are the goals behind Goodwill Industries of the Valleys’ “Second Runway” fund-raiser on Thursday, August 12.

Local radio jocks David Lee Michaels and Melissa Morgan will emcee Second Runway, which runs on August 12 from 6-9 p.m. at the Jefferson Center. A runway for the models to strut their stuff will be built to run from the stage at Shaftman Performance Hall to the third row of seats.

Kelly Sandridge, the Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, said many don’t realize that some of the clothes found at Goodwill are truly fashionable. “We have found every bit of them in our Goodwill stores,” said Sandridge of those items chosen to be modeled.

Rolex and Breitling watches (donated to local Goodwill stores) will be auctioned off that night as well. “They are real,” said Sandridge. Proceeds from the sale of items donated to Goodwill will help fund the training programs offered. “When they’re shopping in our stores what [patrons] are doing is actually helping someone who needs assistance getting back to work, or getting training. That’s what our mission is.”

Goodwill typically held an annual golf tournament to raise money but when the economy went south “that’s when we made the decision to move away [from that]. This year we decided to try the fashion show.” Sandridge hopes it becomes an annual event. Miche Bags, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Southern Living and a Goodwill boutique are among the vendors that will also set up shop on the 12th.

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys serves 31 counties and 14 cities in the Roanoke, New River and Shenandoah Valleys. In 2009 more than 32,000 people were helped via job training and employment programs.

The new Workforce Center at Crossroads Mall, opened with a ribbon cutting attended by then-Governor Tim Kaine last year, is actually managed and staffed in large part by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, which also provides dislocated worker training as a Workforce Investment Board partner. Federal funding helps Goodwill operate the program.

Second Runway will feature a wide array of volunteer models, including Roanoke City Councilman David Trinkle, artist Eric Fitzpatrick, city schools spokesperson Tiffany Woods, etiquette expert Donna Dilley, Valley Business Front editor Dan Smith and Drs. Newman and Blackstock of local commercial fame.

“They’ve been very, very excited [about participating],” promises Sandridge. Fitzpatrick has donated several Virginia Tech football prints that will be offered during the silent auction that evening. Themes for the fashion show include party and wedding segments.

“We’ve got some unbelievable wedding dresses,” said Sandridge, who has been “blown away” by some of the fashion items they found while looking for clothes to be worn during Second Runway.

A downturn in the local economy means “business has been very good” at Goodwill outlets, with a class of clientele “much different than it was several years ago,” said Sandridge. Those who shopped once looking just for bargains “now realize the quality and are coming back again and again.”