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Store fashions fundraiser for church repairs

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By CLOE CABRERA

ccabrera@tampatrib.com

Published: September 30, 2009

TAMPA - Stylish suits, cocktail dresses, leisure wear and children's clothes will be on display Saturday during the St. John Presbyterian Church Thrift Shop Fashion Show.

The fifth annual fashion show and luncheon is the major fundraiser for the church, which was built in 1956.

Proceeds will be used to improve the interior and exterior of the church, said Olga Fernandez, an elder at the church and a co-organizer of the show.

"The tithes are not coming in like they used to," Fernandez said. "Many members have passed on and the church has gotten really small. There's probably 150 members and very few are active. There are so many things in the physical building that need repair, it's impossible to do without a fundraiser."

The runway show will highlight fashions from the church's thrift store, which caters to the working poor, Fernandez said.

There are jaw-dropping deals to be had at the store: Blouses start at $1, cocktail dresses run $2 to $10, men's sport coats and suits are about $5. They also have baby clothes starting at 50 cents, as well as accessories and shoes.

Thrift store volunteers will be models for a day, sashaying down the runway in a variety of looks for men, women and children, from all seasons, in sizes 2 to 18 for women and for men ages 16 to 50.

"You never know what you're going to find," Fernandez said. "People donate a lot of really nice things. And the quality of the clothes is very good. Nothing goes on the rack that has a tear or a loose button. The clothes have to be perfect before they go on the racks."

Frugalistas will have a chance to buy the runway looks at the thrift store, which will be open after the show. The store's regular hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Donations can be dropped off every Wednesday.

Organizers hope to raise at least $3,000.

IF YOU GO

The fifth annual St. John Presbyterian Church Thrift Shop Fashion Show:

WHAT: A fundraiser for St. John Presbyterian Church

WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: St. John Presbyterian Church, Holmes Hall, 4120 N. MacDill Ave., Tampa

TICKETS: Tickets are $25 and include the fashion show, lunch and entertainment by the Dixieland Trio. Tickets can be purchased at the thrift shop until 2 p.m. today and by calling (813) 872-0333 or (813) 876-9587.

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