Loving Hearts Manager Mary Newpower holds up one of several dresses that will be featured in the thrift store's annual Fashion Show Saturday, Aug. 14. Due to limited space in the store, Newpower is storing many of the items in her own attic.
SEELEY LAKE - Loving Hearts Thrift Store is prepared to show off the best it has to offer at its annual Fashion Show. The fundraising event will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14 inside Mission Bible Fellowship. Brunch will be served at 10 a.m. before the show begins around 10:30 a.m.
Loving Hearts Manager Mary Newpower said this is roughly her sixth year organizing the show. They were unable to host it last year due to COVID-19.
Throughout the past couple of years, volunteers have set aside brand new or lightly used donations that stood out for the show.
"We do have a higher amount of clothes that are brand new," Newpower said. "If it's something that is particularly cute or beautiful, or something that is really quirky, ... or if somebody really likes an item and thinks that other people would really like it [then] we'll save it for that."
The show acts as the main fundraiser for the scholarships Loving Hearts awards to high school students every year. This year they awarded two $1,500 scholarships. Next year's amount will be determined by the revenue generated from the show.
Newpower said over the years they have been able to increase the scholarship amounts. They used to distribute an average of around $500 per scholarship. Scholarship applications will be distributed through Seeley-Swan High School. Applicants do not have to attend college to receive the funds, they can also enter trade school.
This year their goal is to generate a total of $2,500 in revenue.
"Anything above that is wonderful," Newpower said.
They do not charge an entry fee but they will hold raffles and silent auctions for baskets filled with an assortment of themed products. Basket themes include birdwatching, dogs, nature and the University of Montana. Newpower expects to offer at least 30 baskets.
She is excited to see how many baskets they will pull together, but she is concerned about storing them. Because of limited storage space, Newpower has had to store many of the show's items in her own attic.
"We are almost at capacity here in our storage rooms and my house is kind of at capacity," she said.
In spite of the limited space, Newpower is still proud of the organizational work they have done in preparation for the show.
"It really is an amazing feat when you think of all the [stuff] that we get," she said.
Newpower said the show is inclusive to everyone including men, women and people who are not associated with Mission Bible Fellowship. The showcased products are inclusive to all genders and ages.
"We'd like to see a whole bunch of people that have never been at the fashion show before," she said. "We have a ton of suits for men, so if anyone's looking for a suit, we have it."
Currently Newpower expects there to be between eight and 10 models who will showcase around 15 outfits.
Unlike the baskets, the clothing worn at the show can be bought outright afterwards unless the model chooses to reserve it beforehand. There will also be other pieces of clothing available for sale that will be displayed around the room.
The show comes shortly after Loving Hearts upgraded its interior along with Mission Bible Fellowship. Renovations included new carpeting, fixtures and a fresh coat of paint. They were closed for about 10 days in mid-June.
Newpower said they are still looking for volunteers to model or help organize. Those interested can contact her at 406-670-5526 or stop in at Loving Hearts from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Wednesdays or 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Saturdays.
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