Fundraiser today to assist with veterans housing
One woman’s weight loss will be a gain for veterans in need. She will be selling her old wardrobe to raise money for them. Several of her business colleagues and friends, and some of their friends, then joined in the effort, resulting in a fundraiser for today.
A portion of the proceeds from the “Fun, Food and Fashion” fundraiser will go toward helping AmVets Post 2 build 30 homes for low-income veterans. The benefit will be held from 1:30-5 p.m. at the AmVets Building, 8887 S. Frontage Road (across from Green Tree Grocery).
After losing 100 pounds over several decades, 33 pounds most recently, Ruby Personett bought a whole new wardrobe. When she contemplated what to do with her old wardrobe, mostly gently used clothes, someone suggested she sell it. That’s when the idea clicked.
The event will include a small fashion show, raffles and door prizes. Items on sale include gently used women’s clothing, jewelry and handbags. Each participant has agreed to donate at least 10 percent of proceeds to AmVets, as well as a door prize valued at least $25.
The donated proceeds will go toward building 30 houses for low-income veterans. The project will break ground in October on land purchased near the AmVets Building.
The fundraiser is free to the public. Every attendee will receive a free ticket for a chance to win a door prize “just for walking in the door.” Additional tickets can be bought for $1 each or 25 for $20. Among the door prizes is a large “pot” of money. People don’t have to be present to win, as long as they put their names and phone numbers on the back of their tickets.
The benefit will also include $5 raffle tickets for several prizes, including gift cards with values of $150 and $200, two patio fire pits, carpet cleaning for an entire house, one-night hotel stays with values of $95 at Best Western and Microtel.
A consultant will be on hand to give advice on putting outfits together, and a seamstress will be available to alter clothing for a fee. The Sea Cadets will also be on hand to help out.
Dressing rooms will be available, and even the blankets separating the dressing rooms will be sold at the end of the day.
Personett will donate all of her unsold items to the AmVets Thrift Store. Some of the other ladies might also, but it’s not required, she said.
There will be shade outside, along with the free food and water by Diamond Brooks Bottled Water, until they run out.
Personett thanked Temptations, Chico’s, Kohl’s, Walmart and Target for lending clothing racks. She thanked Claudia Salazar of Chico’s for first sparking the idea by suggesting Personett sell her old wardrobe.
Personett, who owns Yuma Foothills Insurance, praised AmVets’ Mike and June Condon as “really hard-working people for the vets.”
She also encouraged the community to support the efforts of AmVets Post 2. “(June Condon) makes everything fresh every day at the restaurant. Coffee is served free at breakfast time, and some of the breakfasts are as low a $4. She makes fresh potato salad, coleslaw and french fries. Nothing comes in frozen or in tubs. On weekends or holidays she serves special meals like her mouthwatering baby back ribs or salmon or pork chops.”
Calls to the Condons for more details on the AmVets housing project were not returned by press time. AmVets Post 2 is a nonprofit all-volunteer veterans service organization. For more information, call 7260102.
For more information on the fundraiser, call Personett at 343-3077.