Fund For Women hosts Dress for a Party fashion show

It was fun, fashion and philanthropy at the Sussex County Fund for Women third annual fashion show April 14.

The theme of the show,  Dress for a Party, drew more than 190 women and a few men who celebrated with beautiful clothes, heavy hors d’oeuvres and sparkling drinks.

The show, held at Independence Hall Club House in Millsboro, featured fashions from Josephine’s Daughter, Crysti, and Anything Goes in Rehoboth; Deanna’s in Lewes, Coolspring Cottage in Milton: Lady Fenwick and Under the Banyan Tree/Body Double in Fenwick Island; and Bel Boutique in Dover. The models were all founders of the fund and modeled clothes from beach casual to formal.

While the atmosphere was light, the purpose was serious. The Fund for Women is an endowment at the Delaware Community Foundation whose mission is to provide funding to enhance the worth and potential of women and girls in Delaware by bringing together the collective philanthropic power of women. The fund has awarded more than $1.7 million in grants since 1993.

In 2012, the fund awarded $125,000 to 11 agencies supporting projects that help women and girls avoid abuse and poverty, improve their physical and mental health, gain financial independence and address many other social issues.

Beth Parker of Circle of Light, a ministry for the homeless in Milford, told how a grant from the fund helped provide for homeless women and girls this past winter.

The endowment is funded by people becoming founders by pledging to give $1,000 over a five-year period. At the event, 13 women were moved to become founders to help further the cause.

“This is just wonderful,” said Lynn Kokjohn, Sussex County chair for the fund. “We believe more can be done collectively than individually.”

The next Fund for Women event will be the Annual Grants Ceremony held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 9, at the Duncan Center at 500 W. Loockerman St. in Dover. Tickets are $25 can can be ordered by going to www.delcf.org/FFW.