What do FOX News Anchor Ainsley Earhardt, U.S.C. Football Coach Steve Spurrier, Congressman James Clyburn, WIS-TV’s Judi Gatson, Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, WLTX anchor Andrea Mock, and the guys from Hootie and The Blowfish have in common? All of these people have South Carolina ties, and they are all donating clothes to Fashion Fighting Poverty. This celebrity boutique and online auction benefits Cooperative Ministry, whose programs help lift people out of poverty and put them on the path to self-sufficiency.
Celebrities and dignitaries donate designer clothing and accessories to be sold in an online auction, with a viewing at the Columbia Museum of Art on May 4 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Any items not sold will be donated to The Cooperative Ministry’s career clothing closet, where they will be available to the working poor free of charge.
Celebrity donors are asked to also provide pictures of themselves along with their favorite inspirational quotes or Scriptures that reflect the spirit of helping the working poor. WIS News Anchor Judi Gatson is spearheading the event. Judi says, “Poverty is not a sexy subject that lends itself to short sound bites in the news, but once we get serious about dealing with it, a lot of the other issues will take care of themselves. The Cooperative Ministry gets that, and I hope through this event more people will get in the fight.”
The more donations received, the bigger the impact on making a real difference in the fight against poverty. To join the fight as a sponsor, volunteer or by making a donation, contact Kara Gormley Meador at kmeador@coopmin.org or (803) 422-6081.