by Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Managing Editor
GAMBIER – More than 200 women attended the annual Step into Spring Fashion Show presented by Soroptimist International of Mount Vernon and Knox County Saturday at Gund Commons on the Kenyon College campus. The event is held every year to raise funds to enable the local Soroptimist Club to improve the lives of women and girls.
Soroptimists work with organizations where women go for help such as Interchurch Social Services, New Directions, and HopeNow. The club also sponsors three awards aimed at helping women and girls improve their lives.
Prior to the fashion show, the event featured time to socialize and bid on silent auction items and gift baskets plus lunch provided by AVI Foodsystems, Inc. Spring fashions from several local and regional retailers were modeled by ladies of all ages.
The participating retailers were Christopher & Banks and CJ Banks, Peebles, JCPenney, The Weather Vane, and Interchurch Social Services.
Models from left: Connie Cline, Joanne Starr, and Sabrina Pugh took the runway – KnoxPages.com photos by Marty Trese
Models included Jodi Newton, Diana Endsley, Erin Gorrell, Sabrina Pugh, Barb Stiltner, Tonya Boucher, Connie Cline, Darcey Atkinson, Pam Fuller, Sally Wright, Nicole Ferris, Loretta Reynolds, Courtney Reynolds, Andrea Daubenmier, Rilee Smith, Adison Stevens, Ansley Daubenmier, Heather Thomas, Megan Shoemaker, Toni Metcalf, Linda Warner, Steph Wyatt, Doris Schnormeier, Tomi Ward and Reagan Ward.
Maxi dresses, peekaboo lace back tops, capri pants, and pretty jackets were some of the fashion trends shown on the runway.
The emcee for the afternoon was Matt Starr.
Corporate Sponsors for the event included: Brenneman Lumber Company, Flowers for You, The Laurels of Mount Vernon, Mary Jo Hawkins, Shelley Coon, and the Energy Cooperative.
Many area merchants and individuals donated unique items for the silent auction. Member Joan Stallard will report on the total amount raised for the event early next week. Any woman interested in learning more about Soroptimist can talk with any club member or call 740-393-2485. The organization is also on Facebook.
