The Salvation Army Western PA Invites the Public to Runway RePurposed, An Event Blending Fashion and Fundraising
PITTSBURGH, PA (September 27, 2021) – The Salvation Army Western PA Division is thrilled to host its upcoming event, Runway RePurposed, which blends fashion and fundraising on Thursday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Station Square.
Runway RePurposed brings fashion, food, and fun all together in one room—while raising funds and awareness for The Salvation Army’s Family Caring Center. The highlight of the event is a fashion show for which local designers, boutiques, and students are challenged to repurpose everyday items by transforming them into wearable fashion.
The event renews the legacy left by former Salvation Army fundraiser, Garbage Bag Gala, which was held annually for more than a decade. The rebranded fashion-centered fundraiser, Runway RePurposed, will focus on showcasing local fashion designers creating innovative dresses from recycled and repurposed materials and will more closely align with the fashion industry's focus on sustainability.
This year’s emcee is Mikey Hood of KDKA-TV and Pittsburgh Today Live. Judges include Jessica Sinichak, HOME Editor at Pittsburgh Magazine, and Mike Frazer of 3WS FM and iHeartRadio. Tickets for Runway RePurposed are just $75 per person and can be purchased at www.runwayrepurposed.org.
All funds raised at the event will support The Salvation Army’s Family Caring Center, one of the few homeless shelters in Allegheny County that houses entire families so they can remain together to work through their obstacles as a family unit. Each year, over 150 families find refuge at the shelter, which not only provides basic necessities, but a comprehensive program to position them for success in the future.
“Our Salvation Army Family Stores have long practiced repurposing unwanted items to fund residential rehabilitation services for individuals seeking to break the cycle of addiction. Now, our new Runway RePurposed event will shine the spotlight on fashion with reimagined creations from recycled and repurposed materials; all the while spreading awareness and raising funds to support local families who are finding a new purpose in their lives at the Family Caring Center,” said Major Gregory Hartshorn, Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army Western PA Division. “We look forward to bringing the community together this October and resuming this wonderful annual fundraiser in a brand-new way.”
We thank our generous sponsors: Peoples Natural Gas, First National Bank, PNC Bank, Pittsburgh Magazine, iHeartRadio, Pinnacle Accounting & Finance, Paul Kress, and GetGo.
We thank our generous and creative designers who have donated their time and designs to this cause: Carrie Ann Lehrman, Eva Dixon, Rhonda Cooper, Lane Root, Amanda Vereb, Elaine Healy, Louise and Sarah Silk, Lana Neumeyer, and North Allegheny students and Advanced Art students from Franklin Regional High School.
Tickets are on sale now at www.runwayrepurposed.org.
Celebrating over 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 132 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, log on to www.wpa.salvationarmy.org. The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.
Contact:
Stephanie Rex, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division
Email | Office: (412) 446-1642 | Cell: (412) 463-2942