The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon Fashion Is Art – You Are The Canvas Brought Tears and Cheers

Presenting Sponsor: The Al G. Hill, Jr. Family and Highland Park Village

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon was an elegant, beautiful, artistically and emotionally stirring event, rallying the community in support of their vision of Doing The Most Good.           

Entering the Meyerson Symphony Center, guests were met with an incredible display of larger-than-life photographs of those who have been helped by The Salvation Army created by world-class award-winning photojournalist, Jeremy Lock, who just happens to be the husband of Luncheon Chair, D’Andra Simmons Lock.
         
As those photographs tugged at emotions and brought home the real-life message of The Salvation Army, ladies swept through registration and to the silent auction, placing their first bids on many one-of-a-kind items, trips and more. Word spread quickly about the great buys upstairs, where they headed for one of the real treats of the day, shopping in the Chic Boutique, styled by Nerissa Von Helpenstill and Dustin Holcomb from partner TOOTSIES.
         
Spotted in the crowd were longtime supporters Gene Jones and her daughter,Charlotte Jones Anderson, Patti Flowers, Vicki and Dulany Howland, Jeanne McClung, Margot Perot, Carol Seay, Dee Simmons and many others.
         
Inside the symphony hall, lights dimmed the runway and the spotlights revealed a cinema-worthy wide angle screen bathed in colorful floral renderings spanning the stage as D’Andra took the podium and welcomed the crowd.
         

“Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude go to the Al. G. Hill, Jr., family and Highland Park Village for their presenting sponsorship” she said. “And with the support of honorary chairs Elisa Summers and Heather Washburne, along with all of our patrons, sponsors and hard-working committee, this luncheon has proven to be a fabulous success and is completely sold out!”

         
Women’s Auxiliary president, Kathie King, said the auxiliary has given back more than $9 million to The Salvation Army over the years through its annual fashion show and has encouraged everyone to join in and help with those efforts and the many programs they support.
         
One of the original auxiliary founders, Margot Perot took the stage, announcing Ramona Jones as the recipient of the Margot Perot Servant’s Heart Award, saying Ramona has gone beyond the call of duty, working every week since 1999 with the women served by The Salvation Army, and served as Auxiliary President in 2003. She is a faithful friend of The Salvation Army and was recognized for her outstanding service and dedication to a rousing ovation.
         
In an emotional and heartrending video testimony, D’Andra shared her personal story of domestic violence and how it affected her life, leading to her transformation and dedication to her faith. This deeply moving video led right into a beautiful photographic montage, filling the theatre screen with a visual testament to the lives The Salvation Army strives to change on a daily basis, offering support through struggles and triumphs.
         
The video faded, up came the lights and Major Barbara Rich, Associate Area Commander, praised D’Andra for her bravery,  one of The Salvation Army’s core values, saying a picture is worth 1,000 words and how those photos in the montage represented the thousands who The Salvation Army helps create hope for a brighter future.
         
Major Rich also expressed heartfelt thanks to her husband, Major Jonathan Rich, Area Commander, for his support. She then recognized Kathie King, who was presented flowers, and also recognized her husband, Randy, as well as Jeremy Lock for his service and stunning photography
         
Special celebrity guest, Joyann King, Kathie King’s oldest daughter and executive editor of Harper’s BAZAAR.com, began the fashion presentation with a Spring Trend Report, saying great style is an attitude and how happy she was to return home to Dallas and to celebrate this meaningful cause.
         
Trend highlights included pink is big in all of it shades from fuschia to rose; flower power is back, bold and bright; blue jeans and denim never go out of style and are going to be worn many different ways; stripes and the little white dress are back in a big way, with handbags and shoes all reflecting these trends.
         
Spotlights set the scene and music filled the hall as models strutted the runway in new and gently worn fashions donated to The Salvation Army, then styled and produced by the inimitable Jan Strimple. 

         
After the invocation, luncheon was served in the elegant main hall, with flowers at each draped table, surrounded by windows overlooking the parkway.
         
Sponsors and partners included Highland Park Village, WFAA TV Channel 8, PaperCity, The Park Cities News/The Waters Family, MySweetCharity, Brodnax, Murray Media, TOOTSIES and HarpersBAZAAR.com.

         
About The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary: The Dallas Women's Auxiliary is the local expression of a world-wide movement that seeks spiritual redemption and social rehabilitation of those it serves.  It functions as a fundraising and volunteer service group, and has many projects and programs that can satisfy an eagerness to volunteer.
         
All Executive Committee members and Committee Chairs are volunteers, and there are a variety of ways to serve.   Some of its committees include Hospitality, Back to School, mass mailings, Christmas programs - Angel Tree, Kettles, Distribution and Santa Sacks -- as well as serving weekly home cooked meals to victims of domestic violence.
         
Volunteer activities abound with the Auxiliary. Every year, they fill backpacks with school supplies, gifts and essentials in Santa Sacks at Christmas, and summer-time necessities for Camper Care Kits. There is plenty of work to do at the Angel Tree and Kettles at NorthPark, and distribution of the Angel Tree gifts at The Salvation Army Christmas and Disaster Center.  For those who are into fashion, sorting and pricing donated couture clothing for the annual Fashion Show & Luncheon is great fun (as is attending the Fashion Show!) and working at the WEARhouse Sale following the show.
         
The ladies of the Women’s Auxiliary have a good time, work hard, and live by the vision of "Doing the Most Good."