WSL Volunteers Walk Runway for Charity
Submitted by Ann Ormsby and Sylvia Martinez
Twenty volunteers from the Westfield Service League (WSL) recently put on a fashion show for the residents of Cranford Senior Housing. All the clothing and accessories shown on the models was then available for sale to the residents.
“We started the Fashion Show as a community outreach effort and now it is an annual event that residents look forward to,” said Michele Williams, founder and co-chair of the show. “The goal has always been to provide entertainment to the seniors while also giving them an opportunity to shop for inexpensive items in their own environment, since the majority of them lack access to transportation.”
Judy Goldman, vice president of the Cranford Senior Housing Tenants Association, praised the fashion show and the shopping experience: “It’s wonderful. It gives the residents an opportunity to buy really nice things at very reasonable prices, and it’s very entertaining.”
CSH resident Don Connola, who attended the fashion show for the first time, said, “I enjoyed it.”
Tenants Association President Harriet Pearlman said the residents look forward to the event every year. “It brings everybody out and gets them smiling,” she said.
Beyond the fashion show, an additional twenty WSL volunteers set up a boutique on the premises where items such as jewelry, toys, scarves, handbags, hats and gloves, and holiday décor were purchased. Almost all items were $5.00 or less. Barbara Cantor and Patti Tata co-chair this part of the event and work with the volunteers to sell the merchandise.
“This event is wonderful on so many levels. The seniors have fun, they can buy holiday gifts for their families and something for themselves, and we raise money for the non-profits that the WSL supports,” said Barbara Cantor.
“This year, there was a special treat for the seniors. Each senior attendee received a gift — a Swarovski crystal bracelet — courtesy of Martin Jewelers in Cranford,” said Patti Tata.
“A huge thank you to Martin Jewelers for the gifts they provided to the residents,” said Cindy Rabinowitz, Executive Director, Cranford Senior Housing praised the WSL. “I am so grateful to the Westfield Service League for having their fashion show here for the fourth year. It gives residents a joyous afternoon of camaraderie and seeing beautiful fashion.”
The WSL Thrift & Consignment Shop is located at 114 Elmer Street in Westfield. All proceeds from the fashion show, the boutique, and the shops are given out in grants to local non-profits that the WSL supports. Last year, the WSL donated $70,000 to 29 organizations.
The shop is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about donations or volunteering, call 908-233-2530 for the Thrift Shop or 908-232-1223 for the Consignment Shop. To learn more, visit westfieldserviceleague.com.
Courtesy photos
