Fashion show helps raise money for Safe House

For the sixth consecutive year, the annual VintageNOW Fashion Show by Pastimes Antiques will benefit Safe House for Women in Cape Girardeau. Models will hit the runway Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Osage Centre.

Last year, the event raised $42,000 and attracted more than 900 people.

While a good time is reason enough to attend, knowing the evening is dedicated to helping combat domestic violence is even more inspiring. Participants will model more than clothing; they will model compassion and service to others. Every sponsor, volunteer and attendee will do so as well as they support the cause.

And it's a good cause, despite recent difficulties.

Allison Leonard, the former executive director who siphoned more than $20,000 from an agency credit card, is headed to jail in coming days. But the women who flock to Safe House to escape abusive relationships do not deserve to be punished along with her.

Safe House is still a deserving charity that helps the most vulnerable among us. It also should be pointed out that no grant monies or fundraising receipts were affected by Leonard's theft, and a routine internal audit was able to flag suspicious transactions.

Rick Althaus, president of the Safe House board of directors, even had this to say when news of the theft first broke: "Within the organization, we have made some staffing changes and some procedural changes to safeguard the financial resources of the Safe House, to maintain the confidence of our donors and financial partners, and to continue our important work of helping the community be safe from domestic violence."

For more information or to buy tickets, visit vintagenowfashionshow.com.