Based on responses from attendees and vendors, the sixth annual Ladies Night Out can be considered a success.
More than 60 vendors helped the Alliance Against Family Violence by giving women, and a few men, several reasons to attend the event Saturday at the Leavenworth Plaza Shopping Center.
“We are definitely having fun,” Sherry Clark said as she and her friends painted pottery provided by Bisque-It.
“That’s our middle name,” said Dotti Schmulbeck, Clark’s friend and a co-worker at My Minds Eye, paranormal investigations.
Vendors displayed everything from merchandise such as cosmetics and jewelry to services such as banking and how to lead healthy lifestyles.
“We’re not just makeup,” said Shaundre Bryson, an independent sales representative for Avon. “We have a little bit of everything for all walks of life.”
“I just got my chiropractic done,” Annie Myracle said as she finished receiving an adjustment from Dr. Joe Jones.
With Kansas Media One sponsoring the event as a fundraiser for the Alliance Against Family Violence, many of the vendors also worked to raise funds for the local agency.
For example, employees of Country Club Bank sponsored a prize drawing with proceeds going to the AAFV.
“We’re doing really well,” said Phil Parsons, assistant vice president at CCB. “I think the cool part is people love that we’re donating to the Alliance.”
Some of the ladies who attended the event also made a special effort to help the AAFV.
Toni McLeod donated $341 in merchandise and nearly $300 in cash to help the AAFV. She said the money was raised through memorial contributions when her brother, Michael “Mickey” Porter, passed away after battling colon cancer.
Sister Jane Mehrens, outreach coordinator for the AAFV, said it meant a lot that McLeod was willing to offer so much help for the Alliance. She said most of the vendors and attendees wanted to do everything they could for the AAFV.
A total of $3,058 was raised for the AAFV during the event by those who attended and vendors who donated items or hosted special fundraising booths. More than 575 people attended the event.
The silent auction brought in $1,204; the raffle and donations generated $1,092; JF Denney raised $182 by selling water; the Girl Scouts contributed $135; and Country Club Bank raised $445.
