Homeless ministry wants to dress you

A fashion show and sale will benefit Jericho's mission.

By Beth N. Gray, Times Correspondent
Published March 3, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Jericho Road Ministries is about to add a new avenue, a fashion runway, to target new audiences for its mission to help the homeless.

On Thursday, supporters of Jericho will gather at Silverthorn Country Club for what's been dubbed the recycled formal wear fashion show. Organizers hope to tap into upscale donors as well as shoestring buyers looking for classy attire.

About 100 gowns, formal and semiformal, have been donated for the extravaganza.

"We are thrilled," said event coordinator Debbie Prescott. "I think we are really going to have a lot of beautiful things to look at." Included in the show are two wedding gowns with bridesmaid ensembles, she noted.

Strolling down the runway will be 20 volunteer models from Charlene's School of Dance in Spring Hill and teen girls at Nature Coast Technical High School.

Afterward, the dress racks will be rolled out for purchase of the attire. Formal and semiformal dresses will be priced from $10 to $35, wedding gowns at $50, Prescott said.

In addition to promoting Jericho's endeavors, Prescott said an added attraction is that young women may see an alternative to having their parents spend extravagantly on new gowns.

The Christian ministry has provided bed and board, training and job employment for as many as 14 men at a time since 2000 at its Brooksville location. Recently, it opened a six-bed shelter for women, offering better-living classes for the women as well.

A hefty part of Jericho's budget, which this year nears $900,000, is supported by sales from its thrift stores. Jericho outgrew its original store on Cortez Boulevard and opened a larger shop on Wiscon Road in February 2006. It added a thrift store in Ridge Manor last November. All have been supported by generous donations of goods and thrifty shoppers.

Just in advance of high school proms and springtime dressy events, Jericho is pushing its new line of formal and semiformal wear. Any gowns not purchased at the fashion show will be on sale at the thrift store on Cortez Boulevard.

Thursday's event includes DJ music, desserts and non-alcoholic beverages. Advance tickets are available at Chick-fil-A on Cortez Boulevard. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.

Seventy percent of the ticket donations will go to Jericho Road Ministries. Silverthorn owners Jerry and Michael Heard are donating the 300-seating locale and providing a discount to the help agency on refreshments, Prescott said.

"We're anticipating a large outpouring," Prescott said, noting that she has fielded calls from as far away as Orlando. "It's exciting that everyone's willing to support."

If You go

Fashion show

When: Thursday, modeling from 7 to 9 p.m.; the dress racks will be rolled out from 9 to 10 p.m.

Where: Silverthorn Country Club

Tickets: $15 a person or $25 for two.

For information: Call 398-6175.

[Last modified March 2, 2008, 20:46:04]