'Second Runway': Fashion Sense the Goodwill Way

OK, boys and girls, the event of the social season is upon us and one of the stars is your favorite editor. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys’ Second Runway is scheduled on Thursday, August 12th, 6-9 p.m. at the Jefferson Center's Shaftman Performance.

This is a fashion show—with guess who as a model—that features clothing from Goodwill, all of which can be purchased after the showing. Tickets in advance are $40 each or two for $75. Tickets at the door are $45.

The ticket includes the high energy Runway Show, featuring models from around the Valley, as well as a social with drinks and hors d'oeuvres; a chance to bid on silent auction items; a shopping spree with local vendors and an onsite Goodwill Boutique.

Second Runway highlights the high quality, low cost fashions that are recycled by Goodwill stores. Your favorite editor strongly endorses both the quality and cost of Goodwill’s items—but it’s the quality I appreciate most. The name brands, light ware and expected life of these clothes is exemplary. I was actually going to wear some of my own for the show until I was told I’d have to give them up for sale if I did. No deal, babies. I love these duds.

The runway show will feature various scenarios, one of which will be a wedding rehearsal dinner in which Donna Dilley, who writes an etiquette column for Valley Business FRONT, and I will appear as the mother and father of the bride. Another FRONT columnist, Kathy Surace, who writes about business fashion, is intensely involved in selecting clothing and in generally advising on good taste--which she has plenty of.

Most important—and let’s doing forget the mission of Goodwill Industries—is the second chance that people receive through Goodwill's training and employment programs, which the stores and donations support.