Catwalk for the Cause is a yearly fundraising event that the members of the Porter County VNA Meals on Wheels get excited for almost as soon as the last one ends. The Business Law Society of Valparaiso University puts on the Fashion Show to raise awareness and money that helps feed the needy elderly of our community. Planning takes the entire year.
“It’s our favorite kind of event,” said VNA Marketing Director Maria Galka, “They do all the hard work and we have fun.”
She is joking of course. The VNA helps sell tickets and creates quite a bit of publicity for the show. The day of, though, they get to relax and let the Law Students take care of things.
The Harre Union Ballroom was decked out with rows of folding chairs, a long stage, vibrant lights, and an appetizer buffet. Along one wall was a series of donated goods being auctioned away to attendees. It was a spirited battle, as friends teased each other with competitive bids.
The main event was, of course, the models who graced the runway. This year the Catwalk was sponsored in part by Banana Republic, so some of the students bore the brand. They dressed in either Business Casual or Business Professional, but their demeanor was much less formal. Even the shiest of models came up with a creative pose by the time they reached the end of the runway.
“It’s an energizing event,” said Galka. “When you leave it you think you can conquer the world.”
Chris Wartman, President of the Business Law Society, agreed that it is “high energy. It’s a good time, a fun event to come to. [The VNA] is such a great partnership it’s hard not to go back.”
“For us,” said Ann O’Hier, the President and CEO of the VNA, “It’s a big deal because a lot of our seniors only have contact with the outside world through our volunteers.”
All of the proceeds of the April 7th Catwalk will go to improving VNA programs so that more seniors can be assisted, more often.'
Click here to see more photos from the catwalk!
Law Student and annual model Malika Patterson was eager to help. “It’s always a good cause to feed people who need it,” she said. “This is a fun way to get people volunteering and helping out. It’s not an everyday situation.”
