Maurices holds fashion show to benefit humane society

A promised crew of canines was missing in action Saturday afternoon at the Rescues and Runways fashion show held to benefit the local Capital Area Humane Society — but no worries, the cause and the humans were able to pull things together.

Maurices, located inside Meridian Mall, 1982 E. Grand River Ave. in Okemos, held the show in association with other Maurices nationwide.

“My entire company is partnered with a pet shelter — all 700 stores,” store manager Kalie Hayes said. “It’s a two part process. We had a fashion show and we have a food drive (for) pet food and supplies, which we’re taking for the whole month of September.”

The runway show, which featured a floor-level runway for the models to walk and an audience of supporters, was one of hundreds of fashion shows the chain put on this month to benefit local animal shelters.

The store also agreed to make a minimum donation to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which enticed not only audience members, but the models themselves.

“They had a great cause with the humane society for the dogs and they were donating $50,000 minimum, so I thought that was really good,” East Lansing High School senior and featured model Ashley Jones said.

Maurices also will be selling a “Friends For Life Charm” in their store that can be worn not only by the owner but on a dog’s collar as well.

Although the show originally was supposed to include canines up for adoption strutting their stuff alongside the models, most audience members enjoyed the show despite the original plan falling through.

“They were going to have animals I heard, but it just turned out to be too much of a hassle with the mall,” East Lansing resident Nora Carr said.

Carr, mother of model Amy Carr, said the show was a good chance for the girls featured.

“I thought it was good for the girls to get some exposure and gain calmness … being out there in front of people,” Nora Carr said. “I thought it was good for my daughter to gain confidence and self-esteem.”

For those interested in donating money, food or pet supplies to Maurices, the store will be accepting items for the rest of the month and will offer 20 percent off one regularly priced item to those individuals who decide to bring something in for their cause.

Although the show’s main focus was to help out a good cause, those involved couldn’t deny the fact that, all in all, it was just something fun to be involved with.

“I think my favorite part is just to see how excited everybody got about it,” Hayes said.

“Everybody was super excited and everybody came through for it, so I think that’s probably the most important thing for me, just to see the girls having fun with it.”