- May 2
- 4 min read
This past month, Clothed with Care held our first-ever signature fundraising event, and we’re still riding the wave of gratitude and inspiration it sparked. Runway to Recovery and the Wear it Forward sale were more than just events—they were a celebration of style, a show of community strength, and a powerful push toward helping those who need it most.
Where Fashion Renews Hope
We kicked off our weekend with Runway to Recovery, a night full of fashion, fun, and heartfelt support. Stylists, fashion insiders, community leaders, and generous supporters came together for an unforgettable evening that set the tone for the days to come. More than just a fashion show, it was a symbol of resilience—benefitting recovery efforts in Western North Carolina following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.
What followed was our 3-day Wear it Forward benefit sale—an opportunity for shoppers to score amazing finds from community-donated clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories at deeply discounted prices. More importantly, every purchase helped fund Clothed with Care’s programs providing free clothing provisions and small business grants to communities facing hardship.
Our tagline said it best: “Where Style Meets Impact.” And wow—did our community show up.
By the Numbers: Highlights & Impact
Nearly $45,000 raised through ticket sales, shopping, and generous donations. While we didn’t quite reach our conservative goal of $50,000, we’re incredibly proud of what we accomplished together—and we’re still welcoming donations from those who want to help us close the gap! PLEASE DONATE HERE!
175 attendees at Runway to Recovery on Thursday night—an electric evening full of energy, glamor, and generosity.
Over 200 more shoppers joined us throughout the sale weekend.
An estimated 2,500 items sold across 375 transactions—a testament to the incredible donations and community participation.
Countless hours volunteered, racks moved, items tagged, hangers delivered, and hearts poured in.
From start to finish, the energy was palpable. Whether you were modeling on the runway, helping backstage, volunteering at checkout, or cheering from the crowd—you helped create something magical.
With Gratitude: Thank You to Our Village
We are deeply thankful to every sponsor, partner, vendor, stylist, volunteer, and attendee who helped bring this vision to life. Special thanks to:
Sponsors & Partners: Roots Catering, Amelie’s, Green Jeans Consignment, Furnish For Good, 900 Pressley, Stream Realty, DJs on the Half Shell, Sound Choice Productions, M1-Productions, Curated Events, ShutterBooth, Gather Flower Studio, Radiant Rentals, Dragonfly Homes, Adams Beverages, Boston Beer Company, Lenny Boy Brewing, Suffolk Punch
Our Dream Team of Fashion Insiders & Stylists: Stacee Michelle, Jennifer Traynor (House of Colour: Charlotte Center City), Leah Cade, Kiah Bachman, Megan Orrell (Boem), Caroline Byrnes
Additional Creatives: Shannon Butler (Hair Stylist), Taylor Stetson & Jennifer Zurosky (Photography)
And of course, our incredible group of runway models who absolutely owned the stage and brought our mission to life with every step.
To our board members, families, and rockstar volunteers—you are the heart of Clothed with Care. From late-night warehouse shifts to last-minute errands, from setup to clean-up, we see you. We thank you. We couldn’t do this without you.
Fueling Recovery Through Fashion
The funds raised from these events are already being put to work. Most notably, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re preparing to launch the Catalyst Impact Fund, which will provide monetary support to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene and similar hardships. This is the next chapter in our mission to help communities rebuild, recover, and rise.
The long-term impact? Empowering local businesses, revitalizing communities, and ensuring those hit hardest have the support they need to move forward—with dignity and hope.
From the Heart: A Note of Reflection
It’s hard to put into words how we feel now that it’s all wrapped up. Truthfully, it’s bittersweet—we didn’t hit our fundraising stretch goals, and that stings. But the beauty, the power, and the potential we saw during these events? That keeps us going.
We’re a start-up nonprofit still building our foundation, and this event showed us what’s possible when a community rallies behind a mission. The love, laughter, and generosity we experienced throughout the weekend blew us away. We’re already looking forward to the next one this fall—go ahead and save the date for October 16-19, 2025 where Fashion & Impact will transcend once again!
What’s Next & How You Can Help
As we look ahead, here’s a few things on the horizon:
Getting our new warehouse fully operational
Expanding our network of outreach partners
Hosting more donation drives and community events
And—if we meet our mid-year fundraising goal—formally establishing the Executive Director role to help lead our organization into the future.
We can’t do this alone. If you’ve been inspired by what you’ve seen or experienced—please keep the momentum going:
💙 Donate — every contribution helps 💙 Volunteer — even one hour can make a difference 💙 Spread the word — share our story and help grow our impact
From all of us at Clothed with Care: thank you for believing in what we’re building. Thank you for showing up with style and heart. And thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Let’s keep wearing it forward.
