at Sabine Hall

Though cloudy skies and slight showers threatened, there was no stopping the show on September 26 when over 250 individuals gathered at Sabine Hall to see the latest fall fashions and to raise money for The Haven Shelter and Services, Inc. The benefit raised over $16,500 for The Haven, which serves victims of domestic and sexual abuse throughout the Northern Neck and Essex County. The “Bloom and Grow” theme of the event represented the goals of The Haven to empower clients to move from victims toward being survivors who can bloom and grow into the individuals they were meant to be. Last year, in fact, The Haven served 400 individuals and answered 700 calls on their 24-hour,
toll-free hotline.

Carter and Priscilla Wellford and Peter and Mercer Wellford O’Hara opened the grounds of their beautiful, historic home located in Warsaw, VA for the day’s events. Katharine H. Farmar of Warsaw served as the event’s Honorary Chairperson. Mrs. Farmar took an active role when Family Focus of Richmond County started The Haven over twenty years ago and has been a supporter of its work throughout that time.

The day’s program included an array of fashions from The Dandelion and Peebles Department Store modeled by a group of men and women whose physical charms were matched by their generous spirits. Female models included Todd Barnes, C. J. Carter, Sally Clements, Kelly Cooke, Elaine Hanbury, Gin Harris, Karen Jenkins, Carolyn Loritsch, Ann Meekins, Betty Penley , Betci Pierson, and Julia Tilley. Male models included Dodie Chavez, Takeo Ichimura, Andrew Kauders, Ralph Nappi, and Dr. Howard Snyder.

Generous donations from individuals, businesses, and groups in the community provided a staggering variety of live and silent auction items ranging from jewels to bird baths, a weekend get-away at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, a shearling jacket, a tour of the U.S. Capitol, a weeklong stay at a villa in Tortola and much more. The bids came in quickly at the urging of emcee Betty Osburn of WRAR in Tappahannock and were no doubt sparked by the warmth of Diane Brann’s heartfelt musical challenge to remember “The more we give, the more comes to us.”

Bonnie Baum, Fashion Show Committee Chair, led committee members Stacey Carden Chavez, Sue Farmar, Ronnie Gerster, Faith Kauders, Lesa Knight, Joni Lawler, Julia Middleton, Bonnie Morris, Pat Pugh, and Janice Wooley in producing a successful and enjoyable event for all who attended. During the event, an army of volunteers including committee members’ husbands, RHS Beta Club members, Troop 203 Boy Scouts and students from St. Margaret’s kept everything moving.

The Haven’s Board of Directors and staff greatly appreciate the tremendous effort and attention to detail that brought this event together. This year’s budget includes state and federal grants which cover about 50% of the costs of providing services to victims of domestic and sexual abuse. The remaining 50% must come from donations, foundation grants, and fund-raising events like this fashion show. For more information about the services provided or ways that you can help, please call (804) 333-1099. The Haven’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline number is 1-800-224-2836 or 1-800-22HAVEN.