Carrie Darrah in an mother-of-the-bride outfit and Maureen Mier Christensen with a jacket from the Sundance Catalog. "There are a lot of different options to think about," said emcee Mary Newpower.
Mary Blackford in a fur coat and felt hat ready to cook with her cast iron pans all available at Loving Hearts.
Kaila Kruger all dressed up. "If you want to get dressed up and don't want to pay a lot there are lots of options at Loving Hearts," said Newpower.
Doug Smithson wearing a fancy satin oriental jacket and satin pants complete with a Gators shirts, goggles and hair extensions.
SEELEY LAKE – An attitude of gratitude permeated this year's annual Loving Hearts Fashion Show Saturday, Aug. 24. Gratitude for the constant abundance of donations. Gratitude for the ability of Loving Hearts to fill needs for students at the schools, locals needing a hand up and visitors passing through the area. Thankfulness for the time and resources that volunteers provide to keep the store organized and running smoothly. And an appreciation to everyone for supporting Loving Hearts' mission to give back to the community.
"It seems like the more we give away the more stuff comes," said Manager Mary Newpower. "It truly is a blessing and I am blessed to work with the ladies."
This year they passed the $100,000 amount raised since Loving Heart's inception. Nearly all of the items in the 46 raffle baskets, six silent auction baskets and giveaways were donations that were saved for the event. The majority of the items were new.
"God's really blessed us. We thank everyone who has been involved," said Loving Hearts volunteer Pat Winkler.
More than 100 people attended the luncheon and fashion show. The camaraderie between the volunteers was contagious as attendee cheered and applauded the models many of whom volunteer.
"It is a wonderful experience [working at Loving Hearts] and everyone is so excepting and helpful," said volunteer Kaila Kruger.
"It's a blessing to see the friendships that develop between all the people who volunteer and work [at Loving Hearts] and see how they minister to people as they walk through those doors," said Mission Bible Fellowship's Erika Wilson.
Another Loving Hearts volunteer added that she thinks Newpower is "Fantastic. She is a fire ball."
Loving Hearts raised more than $1,780 at this year's event. This will be used for their Seeley-Swan High School Scholarship fund and continuing the store's mission.
"Gratitude comes from having a wide perspective. It is being able to look at what you have and being thankful for that rather than wanting for the things you don't have," said Newpower. "Do you know why you should feel grateful? You are a part of God's plan, we are touched by God's tenderness and you are a victor in God's victory."
Loving Hearts Request
This summer, Loving Hearts Thrift Store has had an influx of large items including furniture that they don’t have the space to sell. Loving Hearts asks if people have large items that they would like to donate, to talk to them ahead of dropping it off. Otherwise Loving Hearts must pay to dispose of it.
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