NICHOLSON — The fellowship hall of St. Patrick’s Church was tranformed into a runway and local volunteers posed as models on March 18.
The models weren’t wearing brand-new garments; however, they wore used articles of clothing, which they donated to the church’s “Clothes Closet.” The Second Hand Rose Fashion Show promotes the closet, which helps people obtain affordable clothing and proceeds from the show’s admission, desserts and raffle tickets help support the program.
The fashion show was set up by model coordinator Markella Matheos and announcer/emcee Lisa Mihalina.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Mihalina said about the show. “It’s a good asset to the community.”
She described the clothing worn by the volunteer “models” as they walked the “runway.” Volunteers included 9-year-old Angel Clark and her 8-year-old brother Adam, both of Tunkhannock. Angel wore a Hello Kitty shirt with denim leggings and black boots, while Adam modeled a black hat, a white-buttoned shirt and a blue-and-white tie.
“I’m glad that they have enough confidence,” said their mother Desiree Sheridan. “It’s a confidence builder for them.”
Mary Ann Mulfino, of Nicholson, wore a two-piece evening ensemble with glitter sparkles and a black shawl with silver thread.
“Except for the tight shoes, I loved it,” Mulfino said about walking the runway. “Lots of beautiful clothes from a quarter to a dollar.”
Dressed as a bride, Maria Perez, also of Nicholson, modeled her wedding dress which she bought but never got to use so she donated it to the Clothes Closet.
“I want the dress to go to somebody who can use it,” she said.
Carol Steffanelli, dressed in a caftan, handed out Hawaiian leis when she walked the runway. Others included Nicholson residents husband and wife Ron and Marcine Carpinetti, Julie Whitehead, Autumn Whitehead, Holly, Kali and Marci Harvatine.
For over 30 years, church parishioners and the community have donated clothing to the Clothes Closet. The donations are accepted by coordinators Jane Decker, Joan Kupetsky and members of the volunteer committee, who sort, hang, fold, or place the clothing in their respective closets by volunteers. The clothing is then stored in the Sunday school rooms and sold for anywhere from a quarter to a dollar. Closets include one for boys’ clothes, one for girls’, one for men’s and two for women’s.
The Clothes Closet is open from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays and 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays from May to August. Proceeds from the Clothes Closet help families in need.
