Glamming at the Glitter Gala
The 8th annual Seattle Goodwill Glitter Gala & Fashion Show was held on Friday, November 6th at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center. KOMO News Anchor Denise Whitaker, was on hand to emcee the event wearing couture dresses from Goodwill. The event opened with cocktails for guests while three judges were busy selecting the winners of the Goodwill Design Challenge. Read more about the design challenge here.
After the judges made their final decisions, the models cleared the runway to make way for the crowd to enter and take their seats. The seating area included numerous circular tables with gorgeous centerpieces. The hanging lights also helped to set the glitter-themed mood for the evening.
The event was hosted to support Goodwill students. Seattle Goodwill President and CEO, Darrell Campbell addressed the audience in regards to the youth programs at Seattle Goodwill, “For all the economic prosperity that we enjoy in our city today, the fact is that the playing field is still not level. But education, training, and support are the great equalizers. Every student who walks through the door of Goodwill gets what they need to be successful in work and life.
”Grace, a Goodwill student, also spoke to the audience about her experience in the youth programs. She stated, “Through the youth program, I came out of my shell. I know that Goodwill will always be there to support me no matter what situation I’m in. This fall, I will be applying to colleges and hope to earn a scholarship. I want to become a mechanical engineer or a pediatrician. I never had those dreams before Goodwill.”
Kevin Joyce, the event’s auctioneer led the auctions for the evening to raise money for the programs. Attendees had the opportunity to bid on entertainment items, such as modeling in the event’s fashion show, which received two bid winners both at $4,000 each and a New York Getaway that included a behind-the-scenes tour of Patricia Underwood’s workshop, tickets to either a Mets or Yankees game and tickets to An American in Paris on Broadway. One lucky bidder won the getaway with a $5,000 donation. Gala-goers also donated to the youth programs through level options. Options included $10,000 for laptops for one cohort of students, $2,500 for driver’s ed and licenses for twelve students, and $100 for emergency food cards for ten students, in addition to others. In total, the event raised $525,000 for the Goodwill students.
While the crowd was busy raising money, photographer Jared Ribic, snapped a few backstage photos of the runway models and show organizers before they hit the runway. Once the bidding was done, the fashion shows began. The first was a showcase of the looks from the Goodwill Design Challenge. The second show was a showcase of stylized looks that were available for purchase during the event’s after-party and at the Glitter Sale on November 14th and 15th at Seattle Goodwill. Once the second show ended, guests were invited to stick around for the after-party to enjoy some light shopping, fun drinks, and dancing.
What a glamorous night of fundraising and fashion. I’m definitely looking forward to next year’s event. For more information about how you can donate to Seattle Goodwill, visit seattlegoodwill.org/donate.
Glitter Gala
The Glitter Gala is Seattle Goodwill’s largest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds stay in the Puget Sound area to fund Job Training and Education Programs for individuals with barriers to employment. Over 700 of Puget Sound’s business and community leaders attended. Tickets were $175 or $350 (VIP) with names being held at the door. This year’s Glitter Gala benefits Goodwill’s free Youth Programs, which focus on college and work readiness for youths aged 15 - 24 to help them learn skills that further their education and careers. Seattle Goodwill also offers support to students as they work toward graduation, college, and a career. For more information, visit seattlegoodwill.org/sales-and-events/glitter-gala.