Fund for Women holds fifth annual fashion show for fun and philanthropy
The Fund for Women of Sussex County fifth annual Fashion, Fun and Philanthropy fashion show was held April 12. The fund was increased by 23 new founders who pledged $1,000 to the overall fund endowment.
Held at the Independence clubhouse in Millsboro, the show featured clothing from Candlelight Bridal in Millsboro, Deanna’s and Twila Farrell in Lewes, Josephine’s Daughter and Simply Dressed in Rehoboth Beach, Coolspring Cottage in Georgetown and Lady Fenwick of Fenwick Island.
Categories for the show included Fun in the Sun, Girls' Night Out, and Special Occasion/Sassy fashions that were modeled by founders of the nonprofit. More than 200 women and men attended this annual event organized to support the overall mission of the Fund for Women, to provide funding to enhance the worth and potential of women and girls in Delaware by bringing together the collective philanthropy of women.
Hair and makeup for the models was provided by Bad Hair Day, Bling Salon & Spa, and Stephan and Co. There was a presentation on Fund for Women grant recipient La Red in Georgetown, a health center founded by a network of physicians in Sussex County to meet the needs of a growing number of locally uninsured individuals. The Fund for Women supports women’s care programs at the center. Another speaker was Cheryl Vogl, who benefits from funds given to Sussex County Habitat for Humanity that helped with the cost of building her home as well as those of other women in the county.
Created in 1993, the Fund for Women set an original goal to obtain 1,000 founders, each contributing $1,000 to create a $1 million lasting endowment. Almost 1,400 men and women have become founders, and due to their generosity, the endowment at DCF now exceeds $3.2 million including funds raised from the the Swingin’ With a Star Golf Tournament honoring Betsy Rawls.
Thirteen nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $143,000 in grant awards May 14, bringing the total grants awarded by the Fund for Women to over $2 million.
As a result of the fashion show, the fund was increased by 24 new funders: Deanna Wagamon, Maxine McWhorter-Ungerhaebler, Joan Esola-Macre, Eleanor Hodges and Carolyn Newcott of Lewes; Janet Wilson, Lesslee Belmore and Linda D’Aloisio of Millsboro; Nancy Bolan, Ann Bailey, Rose Marie Patin, Simply Dressed Boutique owner Anne Fensterwald, Robin Bedlington and Kathy Pizzadilli of Rehoboth Beach; Sheila Fooks of Federalsburg, Md.; Megan Neal of Seaford; Cheryl Ann Doucette of Felton; Marlene Tarr of Dewey Beach; Joan Neal of Seaford; Rebecca Elzey of Clayton; Evie Slater of Dover; Christina Richter of Wilmington; and Mary Ellen Monos from Lebanon, Pa. Current founder Jean Lamontagne also pledged in memory of her mother and mother-in-law.
“I am so proud to be involved with such a tremendous organization. We had a record number of attendees and people joining tonight. This is a very exciting time to be part of the Fund for Women,” said Lynn Kokjohn, chair of the fund in Sussex County.
For more information about the Fund for Women, to join, or make a donation go to http://www.delcf.org/ffw.html. The Fund for Women is administered through the Delaware Community Foundation.
