Overcoming addiction is not always pretty, but a recovering woman is beautiful.  That’s the message behind the inaugural “Runway for Recovery” fundraiser, a fashion show to benefit the Roanoke, VA-based women’s treatment and recovery center, Bethany Hall.  The event is being held at Jefferson Center’s Fitzpatrick Hall on Sunday, August 9, from 3 pm to 5pm.

Kicking off the first year of the event, local handbag company claire v. is launching the exclusive “Bethany Bag”.  According to Laura Bradford Godfrey, founder and CEO of claire v., “the ‘Bethany Bag’ has a beautiful tweed body with a great tote shape.  Combining elegance and practicality it is the perfect fall and winter tote.”  The company will raffle off three vouchers during the event, and future proceeds from the sale of the bags will benefit Bethany Hall.

“I have had the chance to work with Bethany Hall extensively over the last four years.  It is an incredible program, with a great success rate,” Godfrey says.  “From working with women’s cooperatives in Vietnam, to supporting an orphanage in Cambodia, claire v. believes strongly that supporting women and children builds stronger foundations in our communities.  The clients of Bethany Hall need our support now more than ever, and claire v. is proud to be a sponsor of the ‘Runway for Recovery’.”

Thirteen local clothing and footwear retailers will feature fall lines for women, children, and men of all ages including, Target, Pink, Patina, Millie’s, She’s International, Davidson’s, Primarily Kids, The Cobbler’s Wife, Walkabout Outfitters,  CJ Banks, and Christopher Banks. Outfits will be modeled by graduates of Bethany Hall, board members, staff, and volunteers, as well as contestants from the Miss Roanoke Valley program.

“The Miss Roanoke Valley program recognizes the efforts of outstanding young women and there is no effort more worthy of recognition than the effort made by the women of Bethany Hall to recover from addiction.  Our titleholders and contestants are delighted to participate in the ‘Runway for Recovery’ show,” says Jeanie Smith VandeLinde, a former Miss Virginia and the Co-Executive Director of the Miss Roanoke Valley Scholarship Program. 

Runway for Recovery will have refreshments available and attendees will also have the opportunity to be pampered for the afternoon with a choice of free spa services and activities, including:

• free manicures provided by claire v. in advance of the company’s plans to launch a new line of spa products and services in October,
• free make-up sessions by representatives from Mary Kay,
• free face painting by Sally Ann Edelman with Fantasy Face Painting.

A silent auction will offer several items for bidding, including a Taubman Museum of Art membership, brunch in the Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke, free rounds of golf, a membership to Chocolate Paper’s Truffle-of-the-month club, and more.  Proceeds will benefit Bethany Hall.

“We’re excited about the fashion show; it’s a great way to showcase what’s been called the ‘triumph of treatment’.  I define that victory as beautiful, recovering women who have reclaimed their lives and their places in the community,” says Vickie Price, executive director for Bethany Hall.

Attendees can also enter to win a chance to help design, model, and name a new Lola Starfish bag. A winner will be announced at the end of the event.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children under 18 years and may be purchased at the door, or in advance by contacting Jennifer Neel, 540-343-4261 ext. 308.  Event information is also available on Facebook through the Bethany Hall fan page.

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Bethany Hall is a residential treatment program for adult women recovering from alcohol and other chemical dependency. Established in 1970, the organization’s mission is to provide a safe, supportive and healing environment for the early stages of recovery, and to help clients acquire the necessary skills for independent living.