‘Girls in Pearls’ to showcase YWCA Westmoreland thrift store finds

Shirley McMarlin
Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019 10:22 a.m. | Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019 10:22 a.m.

Go Ad-Free Today!

Tribune-Review

The YWCA Westmoreland County will host its annual “Girls in Pearls” fashion show on Aug. 19 at Rizzo’s Malabar Inn in Crabtree. Here, Avery Heinnickel models an outfit from the YWCA Thrift Store during the 2018 event.

The mission of the YWCA Westmoreland County is to empower women and to eliminate racism, but once a year it’s also to show people how to look good on a budget.

To that end, “Girls in Pearls: Walk the Red Carpet,” the annual show of fashions from the Y’s downtown Greensburg Thrift Shop, will be held 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 in the banquet hall at Rizzo’s Malabar Inn in Crabtree.

Emcee for the evening will be Latasha Wilson-Batch, executive director of Best of the Batch Foundation and wife of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch.

Models of all ages will don fashions for both men and women, from casual to couture, including shoes and accessories gleaned from the store’s stock.

“The volunteer models go to the thrift store to be sized. Thrift store employees pick out a few outfits for them, and then they choose the one they want to wear,” says Nichole Smalley, Y marketing and member services coordinator.

Another highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the annual YWCA Rising Star Award to Corinne Coulson. As manager of strategic communications and marketing at Penn State New Kensington, Coulson oversees communications, multimedia, public relations and marketing efforts for the campus.

“The YWCA Rising Star Award is presented to a woman 35 years of age or under who exhibits early professional success and potential to obtain marked achievement; and demonstrates a willingness to help others, especially women and girls,” according to the Y website.

The fashion show also will feature hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, desserts, cash bar and raffles. Attendees will receive information on YWCA support for women and girls in the community through child care, literacy, social justice, technology, educational and wellness programs.

A general admission ticket is $50. A $100 VIP ticket includes a signature white sangria cocktail, $20 in raffle tickets and program recognition.

Reservation deadline is Aug. 12.

Details: 724-834-9390 or ywcawestmoreland.org