Since 1960, the Fairfax Salvation Army has provided residents with utility and rent assistance, food, clothing and furniture on an emergency basis. It also provides toys and bicycles to needy children during the Christmas holidays. In 2011, it assisted 1,250 families.
All this assistance is made possible because of local businesses and individuals who donate items and make monetary contributions. So each year, the Fairfax Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary works hard to put on a fund-raiser for the Salvation Army.
This year’s event is the 32nd Annual Fashion Show/Luncheon/Silent Auction. It will be held Friday, March 30, at the Waterford in Fair Oaks (across from Fair Oaks Mall). The silent auction begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch – catered by the Waterford – at noon. Tickets are $40.
Lord and Taylor is providing the fashions and, this year for the first time, men will model, too. There’ll be at least seven female and three male models who will each model three different outfits.
“We are especially proud that all funds raised are distributed to the Salvation Army’s charitable programs,” said event Chairman Angela Ganey of Fairfax Station. “We hope to raise as much as we can so we can give to different projects.”
Past charitable contributions have provided assistance to persons/families in emergency situations, helped send children to Camp Happy Land in Southern Virginia, aided with the Salvation Army’s Christmas Gifts and Stockings Program for local children in need, funded backpacks, school supplies and financial support for the Back to School Program and purchased music and instruments for the Youth Music Program.
The auxiliary is currently soliciting sponsor donations, ads for the event’s program, plus gift certificates and merchandise for the silent auction. Those interested in doing so, or in purchasing tickets, may contact Ganey at 703-250-5809 or via angelaganey@verizon.net.
There are a dozen active members of the local Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and, said Ganey, “These women are so dedicated.” As for the Salvation Army, itself, she said, “Its members are called the ‘Silent Angels’ because, wherever there’s a disaster, they’re there to help.”