Ladies, lunch and fashion raised about $1,000 for a local elementary school on Monday at the Gainesville Garden Club and Garden Center.
The fashion show, titled “Soup, Salad, Sweets & Swish,” cost $15 and featured models matched with flower-printed blouses, slimming pants and pastel-colored tote bags.
“I’ve never modeled before,” said Mary Lou Merkner, a 16-year club member. “But this was a great opportunity to have fun and raise money for our school projects.”
Every year, the Gainesville Garden Club partners with Lake Forest Elementary School to work with students on gardening projects.
Cile Pfahler, a 30-year member of the garden club, said the money raised will fund projects for Mothers Day, Veterans Day and the winter holidays.
“We normally go out and buy supplies such as flower seeds, soil and pots for students to create their own flower projects,” Pfahler said. “We teach students to properly grow and maintain flowers.”
Michelle Ropp, 39, of Gainesville, said this was her first time attending an event at the center.
“I really liked how instead of just having lunch, I was able to shop at the same time,” Ropp said.
The Gainesville Garden Club, founded in 1924, is comprised of about 360 members, who are divided into smaller circles. The Gardenia Circle organized the fashion show and luncheon.
Marion Sproul, a member of the Gardenia Circle, said the fundraiser this year was a success.
“We raised more money than we thought possible,” Sproul said. “The circle that is in charge of the fundraiser next year has a lot of pressure to keep it a hit.”
