Mary Kay Inc. and Tootsies hosted a “Think Pink Launch Party,”
kicking off the sixth annual Suits for Shelters program, on Thursday, July 10
from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Maleiah and Ryan Rogers welcomed over 150 partygoers dressed
in pink attire for a festive evening benefiting The Mary Kay FoundationSM. Attendees arrived with new and gently used women’s professional
attire, shoes and accessories for local shelters -- quickly filling four clothing racks with their
donations. Tootsies generously rewarded each donor with a $25 gift card as a thank
you.
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| Kristen Hughey, Hailey Neher, Nicole Weeldreyer |
While partygoers mingled and shopped, they sipped champagne and
enjoyed delicious bites courtesy of Two Sisters Catering including Thai beef cucumber
cups, lobster avocado endive spoons, citrus infused shrimp, beef tenderloin au
poivre crostini, grilled portobello and red pepper satay, with chocolate
covered strawberries for dessert.
As guests
took their seats along the runway, Crayton Webb, vice president of corporate social responsibility
and corporate communications, welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending and supporting Suits
for Shelters. He then recognized the nine beneficiary organizations that had representatives
serving as models for the upcoming fashion show: Attitudes and Attire, Brighter
Tomorrows, Denton County Friends of the Family, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Hope’s Door, Mosaic Family
Service, New Beginning Center, The Battered Women’s Foundation and The Family Place.
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| Sheryl Adkins-Green, Geoffrey Green |
Ryan Rogers, Chief Investment Officer for Mary Kay Inc. whose
grandmother founded the Mary Kay FoundationSM in 1996, took the podium
and echoed Webb’s thanks before revealing the Foundation has granted $54
million dollars since its inception to organizations fighting cancers affecting
women and shelters for survivors of domestic violence.
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| Hosts Ryan and Maleiah Rogers |
“I think that most women can feel transformed by a new outfit.
I’ve seen it happen in my own home and I’m sure that most of you here tonight
know what I’m talking about,” remarked Rogers, “It’s our hope that in some
small way we can help a woman gain financial freedom, independence and a life
free from abuse.”
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| Jan Langbein, Travis Armayor, Jennifer Armayor |
Rogers then reminded guests that this year’s event included a
raffle, with tickets on sale through the end of the fashion show and the
winners announced immediately following. Raffle prizes included a Mary Kay gift
basket with $500 Tootsies gift card, a Mary Kay gift basket with $100 Tootsies
gift card and a grand prize with the winner getting to select a women’s
organization in Dallas to receive a $5,000 donation.
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| Kathleen Donovan, Holly Heft |
The runway show began with emcee, WFAA-TV’s Cynthia Izaguirre,
introducing the beautiful models from Suits for Shelters beneficiaries as they proudly walked the
catwalk in gorgeous fashions, featuring summer trends, as well as clothing and
accessories in all shades of pink.
Hosts Ryan and Maleiah Rogers returned to the podium for one final
announcement - the winners of the raffle prizes. Grand prize winner Lt. Miguel Sarmiento chose Genesis Women's Shelter as the beneficiary of the $5,000 donation.
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| Rebecca Gibson, Abby Frank, emcee Cynthia Izaguerri, WFAA-TV, Katharine
Bain, Maggie Newton and Kirsten Gappelberg
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As the evening came to a close, partygoers
received a signature Mary Kay gift bag perfect for summer with Mary Kay sun
screen, after sun gel and lip balm.
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