Mary Kay Inc. and The Mary Kay FoundationSM celebrated the 10th annual Suits for Shelters collection with a “Think Pink Launch Party” at Tootsies on Thursday, July 11, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. Hosts Maleiah and Ryan Rogers were joined by more than 150 partygoers for the annual event to kick-off a month-long collection of new and gently used women’s professional attire for local domestic violence shelters.
Upon arrival, attendees, many dressed in pink attire, enjoyed cocktails and light bites while perusing the fashions at Tootsies. Models wearing the coolest trends in assorted hues of pink posed on pedestals throughout the store.
Also on display were five of Mary Kay Ash’s most memorable formal gowns that she had worn at Mary Kay Inc.’s annual Seminar. Attendees were wowed by her petite frame, and the glamorous gowns that featured sequins, glitter and lace. Many of Ash’s gowns can be viewed in the Mary Kay Museum located in the Mary Kay building, while others are pristinely stored to preserve their integrity.
Always a hit, mystery boxes were available for purchase for $100, $250 and $500, featuring prizes of jewelry, local hot spots, fashion items and more, with all proceeds benefiting The Mary Kay FoundationSM. Raffle tickets were also on sale, with attendees buying their chances to win one of three prizes: a $100 Tootsies gift card and a Mary Kay gift basket; a $500 Tootsies Gift Card and a Mary Kay Gift Basket and the grand prize a $100 Tootsies gift card and a $5,000 contribution in the winner’s name to the domestic violence shelter of their choice, donated by Maleiah and Ryan Rogers.
At the appointed time, partygoers gathered upstairs for brief remarks. Ryan Rogers, board of director and chief investment officer for Mary Kay Inc., welcomed all in attendance and thanked them for their support of the Mary Kay Foundation and their continued commitment to end domestic violence. He also thanked the Foundation’s community partners and beneficiaries, as well as long-time partners Tolleson Wealth for their sponsorship of the evening, media partner WFAA-TV and Tootsies, the evening’s host.
Rogers shared that the Mary Kay Foundation donates more than 97 cents from every dollar it receives to its programs focused on ending domestic violence and furthering research for cancers affecting women. He then asked everyone to give generously as well by purchasing a raffle ticket or mystery box, or making a direct donation to the Foundation. In closing he raised his glass to the crowd in appreciation of their generosity and ongoing support.
WFAA-TV’s Cynthia Izaguirre followed with additional thanks and a last-call to purchase raffle tickets. Izaguirre then reminded everyone that donations of professional clothing to local domestic violence shelters would be accepted at Tootsies through August 4. She added that for many of the recipients of the clothing donations, it means a lot more than a suit; it’s the ability to interview for a job and gain financial independence and the outfit that gives her the look of confidence to break free from abuse.
The much-anticipated raffle winners were then announced with Kris Johnson the lucky grand prize raffle winner. Johnson chose The Family Place as the designee for the $5,000 donation.
As the celebration came to an end, guests were gifted Mary Kay’s Timewise Miracle Set 3D, including a 4-in-1 Cleanser, Day Cream with SPF 30, Eye Cream and Night Cream, along with a Don’t Look Awaycompact mirror.
Since 2009 the Suits for Sheltersprogram has donated more than 20,000 professional items to local domestic violence shelters.
About The Mary Kay FoundationSM
The Mary Kay Foundation was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded nearly $44 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and more than $26 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. More than 97% of each donated dollar goes to the missions. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, log on to www.marykayfoundation.orgor call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).