SMOKEY POINT The Stillaguamish Senior Centers annual secondhand fashion show, Sept. 28, afforded attendees plenty of opportunities to support the center and its residents.
Not only did volunteers with the United Way of Snohomish County serve lunch to the seniors in the audience, but the fashion show featured outfits that are available at the centers thrift store whose proceeds benefit the center, its programs and its residents.
Cordice Dinger-Dickson, the thrift store manager and a member of the centers board of directors, again served as master of ceremonies for the event, which used volunteers from the center and thrift store as models for their outfits.
These special people are part of what makes our center and store a positive part of each of our lives, said Dinger-Dickson, whos been volunteering at the center for 32 years.
The show was divided into casual and dress outfits, as volunteers strutted their stuff on stage, in everything from rugged outdoor wear to glittering cocktail party attire.
One of the models was Juanita Schultz, a thrift store volunteer who returned recently after a serious illness. Dinger-Dickson welcomed her back during the show and handed her the microphone to greet the centers residents and her fellow volunteers.
Its nice to be back, Schultz said. I thank you all for your prayers and for signing the cards that were sent to me. Its so nice to see you all again.
We have great people who do great work for a great clientele, Dinger-Dickson said. Our reputation is based on the quality of our volunteers and our merchandise.
Among those who served the seniors lunch were Vicky Vasquez, of the United Ways Kids Matter Vision Council, and Paulette Day, of the Mukilteo Book Club.
We love helping out any way we can, said Vasquez, a first-time visitor to the center, who noted that the United Way of Snohomish County has given grants to the center. Im very impressed by all the wonderful things theyre doing on behalf of the seniors quality of life.
We appreciate that the United Way gives groups like ours chances to mix and match our skills when we volunteer, Day said. We love volunteering, but not all of us are cut out for physical labor. Its great to get out and see things like this happening in the community.