Fashion, Fun and Fundraising for Food Pantries

Joanne Cotton is passionate about giving back to her community.  It is not surprising that the owner and operator of Madison Ave. of Melrose, a consignment boutique on Main Street, held a fashion show on October 18 to benefit Gathering Change, Inc., an organization that raises money for food pantries.  With approximately 100 big hearted customers, friends and family in attendance, the evening was full of conversation, laughter and designer clothes modeled for purchase.

Over $1,500 was raised at the fashion show and the money has already been given to the two food pantries in Melrose:  the Servant’s Heart Food Pantry at the Faith Evangelical Church on Franklin Street and the Pantry of Hope Food Pantry at the First Baptist Church on the corner of Upham and Main Streets.  Thank you Joanne Cotton, Madison Ave. of Melrose and all the guests and models at the fashion show.  See www.madisonaveofmelrose.com and www.gatheringchangeinc.org for more information.

PHOTOS:

1. Models and Organizers of the Madison Ave. of Melrose Fashion Show (Left to right): Marissa DiPietro, Heather Dudley, Caroline Wright, Shae Soucy, Michelle Gallant, Madison Cotton, Katie Crespo (Exquisite Hair Salon, Melrose), Diana Brennen, Joanne Cotton (owner, Madison Ave. of Melrose), Nina Cameron, Laura Moynihan Avalino and Joanne O'Kennedy.

2. Shirley Samson, Coordinator of the Servant’s Heart Food Pantry, holds the check donated by Gathering Change, Inc. which was made possible by the fundraiser fashion show given by Madison Ave. of Melrose.

3. Left–Right: GCI board member Judy Bousquin with staff of the Pantry of Hope Food Pantry; Reverend Damaris Cami-Staples and long time Executive Director Jessie Freda (holding the donation check from Gathering Change, Inc.). This donation was made possible by the fundraiser fashion show given by Madison Ave. of Melrose.