VintageNOW has record crowd, but earnings suffer

A recent fundraiser for Safe House for Women may have been too successful for its own good, an organizer said Thursday.

Deb Maevers, founder and executive director of the VintageNOW fashion show, said the Oct. 22 event saw record turnout, but the size of the crowd may have contributed to a drop in the amount of money raised by a silent auction during the event.

"We went over The Venue's fire code, which is 1,100. ... We weren't allowed to let any more people in," Maevers said.

Kaleisha Walker models for the audience at the VintageNOW fashion show Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013 at The Venue. (Fred Lynch)

Aaron Picar of Safe House for Women said the high turnout for VintageNOW was gratifying.

"I am humbled to see our town support the Safe House's mission. I wish there wasn't a need for us here, but there is, and to see ... the event grow over the past few years makes me honored to serve the community," he said. "The support is what makes our work possible."

The sold-out event raised more than $43,000 for Safe House, but that amount could have been higher if not for long lines and a bottleneck at the door that shortened the amount of time for attendees to check out silent auction items and place bids, Maevers said.

"It was a great success. I shouldn't balk at $43,000, but that was a little disappointing number with the amount of people that were there," she said. " ... People were saying by the time they got in the building and found their seats, it was showtime."

Organizers already have begun looking for a larger space to host the 2014 event, which will have a 1950s theme, Maevers said.

Despite the logistical issues, the event was well-received, she said.

"I think people had really a good time," she said. "We had confetti cannons at our show this year, and that was kind of exciting for the audience."

Donations continue to come in, thanks to a YouTube video of Cheryl Brenneke's speech, Maevers said.

Brenneke is the sister of Jacque Waller, whose estranged husband, Clay Waller, pleaded guilty in June to killing his wife and hiding her body near Devil's Island, Ill.

Before her death, Jacque Waller wrote in a journal that her husband had threatened to kill her and their children.

Maevers said a link from the video of Brenneke's speech takes viewers to the donation page for Safe House, which provides assistance to victims of domestic violence.

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