Dozens of models walked down the catwalk yesterday at the Shaw Conference Centre to raise money for the city’s only addictions recovery home for women.
Close to $37,000 was raised last year during the Spirit of Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon, but
no tally has been made on how much this year’s event raised for the McDougall House.
But with the third annual show nearly sold out, event chair Jayne Bawden expects the recovery home will receive close to $50,000 that will help pay for support staff.
“The problem at McDougall House is that the staff can’t get the wage that government employees get,” said Bawden.
“A lot of the time when you apply for grant money, you can’t get money for staffing.”
Bawden says the new infusion of cash will also support employee benefit plans to encourage workers to stay at McDougall House.
Roughly 60 guest models, including Coun. Don Iveson, strutted down the catwalk showing off the latest lines this spring, and hundreds of items were up for grabs during a silent auction.
A dinner prepared by some of Edmonton’s firefighters, including a tour of a fire station, was among some of the items up for grabs at the show.
“This shows that awareness is growing and McDougall House is a well-kept secret in this province,” said Nancy MacBeth, board chair with McDougall House, about the support.
McDougall House is a 14-bed residence that offers help for adult women who are dealing with alcohol, drug or gambling addictions.
