Last Saturday, dozens of women gathered at the president’s home at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville to break bread, enjoy a fashion show and raise funds for the college’s students in need.
Six-years ago, former coordinator of alumni services, Candace Harper started the Little Black Dress charity luncheon as a fun event for women to enjoy lunch, some shopping and lend support to local charities.
“The Little Black Dress committee selects a charity each year to donate proceeds,” Harper said. “This year the funds will be given to the PRCC Student Needs fund. This program provides assistance with some student’s major primary needs such as food and clothing.”
The event featured a catered lunch, a silent auction and a fashion show, featuring models showcasing various fashion items, which were available for sale at the event.
The event’s sponsors covered the cost of the event and whatever else was raised went directly to charity, Harper said.
Sponsors of this year’s event included, Paw Paw’s Campers and Cars, Heritage Plastics, First National Bank of Picayune, Porter Law Firm, Boone’s Pharmacy, Inc., Shuttle Service Inc., Tobacco Discount Stores, Inc., Stewart Sneed Hewes, Pearl River County Hospital, Deb’s Pizza and Pasta, Inc., Williams Financial Group, Hancock Bank, East Poplarville Veterinary Clinic, Gwen Grant, Anderson Retail and WalMart.
Many local boutiques donated accessories to be auctioned off, including MeLinda’s Fine Gifts and More, Fabulous You, LLC, Georgia Field and Beth’s Jewelry and Gifts, Tropical Body Bliss, Magnolia Mama’s, Bre’s Clothing and Accessories and Splash Boutique.
Individuals also donated items to the auction, Harper said. Guests perused more than 120 silent auction items, including handbags, jewelry and clothing.
The featured item was a Mignon Faget oyster pearl necklace, valued at more than $400, donated by Bre’s Clothing and Accessories in Picayune.
“Prior to Saturday’s luncheon, the group had already raised about $2,500,” Harper said.
Guests were also treated to a fashion show, featuring students and faculty models.
This year’s models included faculty members Tonia Moody, Tara Rouse, Makayla Cooper, Georgia Field and Chelsea Dobbins.
Amanda Mayeaux, Hailey McKaskell, Morgan Lee and Rachel Barras were the student models.
Traci Spence, the new coordinator of alumni services, said that after costs, the event raised about $4,100 for the PRCC Student Needs fund.