Murphy Reach of Cherokee and Graham Counties Inc. was the happy recipient of a shared $1,000 bounty collected by Lizz Aquarian of Downtown Pizza and Jody Quillian of Glitz & Glamour Boutique.
This is the second year the two business women and local fashionistas collaborated to orchestrate the Wear the Care Fashion Show, which was at The Ballroom on March 6.
They recruited the models from the Murphy Middle/High School Theatre & Performing Arts class, who wore fashionable garments from Quillian’s Glitz & Glamour Boutique. The two organizers themed this year’s event around the styles of the 1950s through the ‘90s, featuring lively music from each decade.
The students, accustomed to working in front of an audience, hammed it up by dancing, swaying and rocking down the glitter-filled runway. The audience cheered and clapped as the lively show unfolded.
The students played to a nearly full house of supporters. The $20 ticket price, plus a percentage of any garments purchased from Glitz & Glamour, contributed to the kitty.
Shay Annis is with Glitz & Glamour and a runway veteran for the event.
“Everybody loves to dress up and be a part of something bigger than themselves,” she said.
Matthew Crawford, marketing coordinator and advocate for Reach, said the money will go toward expenses that are not covered by grants.
“Those grants are narrowly focused,” he said, adding, “There are many expenses outside of the reach of that funding.”
Reach of Cherokee and Graham Counties will certainly put the money to good use. In 2022, its 24-hour crisis hotline assisted 4,236 callers.
The organization works to educate the community on domestic violence and sexual assault, with the intention of ending domestic violence. They provide a safe haven women’s shelter as well as one-on-one advocacy for victims of abuse.
Founded in 1983, Reach is a nonprofit organization and always welcomes donations. Aquarian and Quillian’s time and efforts did not go unappreciated by those involved.
“I’m always taken away by the amount of support we receive from the community and its small businesses,” Crawford said. “We are so blessed!”
The money is important to keep Reach running, but the fashion show provided more than funding.
“These events don’t just raise money,” Crawford said. “They open up the opportunity for someone who needs our support to reach out.”
He said the money doesn’t just fund programs, but provides pragmatic solutions to community members.
“For example,” Crawford said, “If they need shoes for a new job or medicines after leaving the hospital,” Reach can assist with that.
If you or someone you know is suffering domestic abuse, call Reach’s confidential hotline at 828-837-8064.