VintageNOW raises funds for Safe House

We might not always see or hear it, but domestic violence occurs around us. And according to a recent Southeast Missourian report, the numbers of supplemental domestic-violence incident reports filed by Cape Girardeau County law-enforcement agencies has increased over the last few years: 482 in 2013, 501 in 2014, 512 in 2015 and 362 so far this year.

On Saturday, the seventh annual VintageNOW Fashion Show allows the opportunity to support a cause that helps victims of domestic violence.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from the fashion show go to the Safe House for Women, which is currently conducting a Safe Tomorrow campaign to raise funds for a new shelter.

According to Safe House for Women executive director Jessica Hill, the current shelter has 22 beds and one bathroom, and that due to the lack of space 28 women and 50 children were directed to other shelters or safe places last year.

Hill said that Safe House has a goal of $2 million and has raised $750,000 already.

"VintageNOW has been such an amazing opportunity for the Safe House," she said. "Deb [Maevers] had the vision, and the Safe House has benefited tremendously for the past seven years."

The theme for this year's fashion show is 1940s USO shows.

Doors to the Osage Centre open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. For tickets visit Pastimes Antiques at 45 N. Main St. in Cape Girardaeu or www.vintagenowfashionshow.com.

"I give a little pep talk to the models before the show, ask them to close their eyes, picture a woman they know and love," Pastimes Antiques owner Deb Maevers, who puts on the event, said. "One in four households in America are affected by domestic violence, so there's a real chance that a mother, cousin, sister, best friend -- well, I ask the models to remember they're walking strong for a woman who can't right now."