Baldwin Ladies host fashion show fundraiser for Community Living Tillsonburg

Laurel Beechey, Post Contributor

A fundraising fashion show for seniors by seniors? The Baldwin Ladies Luncheon pulled it off beautifully as part of the 70th anniversary celebration for Community Living Tillsonburg (CLT).

As noted in the March 19 edition of the Tillsonburg Post, “In the early 1950s, services for individuals with developmental disabilities were limited to segregated care in large institutions. In the mid-1950s, change started.”

That change continued, and Tillsonburg’s association was on board. With help from local service clubs and the community, a school was built. Every decade since has seen new and better ways to bring people with developmental challenges into society.

Group homes came and went. Today, children and adults with developmental disabilities are supported in their own homes, integrated in the mainstream, and working in the community. The organization’s name changed, too — it became Community Living Tillsonburg (CLT).

Today, CLT supports more than 300 clients across the region. There are seven group homes, 71 children in daycare, 50 families receiving support, and 48 individuals living independently. The Baxter Centre at 126 Concession St. supports 90 people in a variety of ways. As you can imagine, fundraising is essential, abd the fashion show was part of that.

After a sneak peek at the racks of clothes, we enjoyed Bere’s fabulous spring-light buffet, learned more about Community Living’s inclusion work, and then the fashion show began! Seven models changed multiple times, showing off summer fashion, casual wear, and even a little glitter, all from Amanda and Pauline’s Y Knot shop in Port Rowan. The shop also donated 10 per cent of its sales and some door prizes to CLT.

Guests contributed many hygiene items and cash donations to help Community Living clients.

A generous number of door prizes were also donated by local businesses.

It was the best fashion show I’ve ever attended — because the models were my age, wearing clothes I could imagine wearing! Some were a little shy and self-conscious at first, but after a couple of outfit changes, they were strutting their stuff!

Kudos to the models, including Shannon and Lydia — clients of CLT — and volunteers from Baldwin Place and Hickory Hills: Lynne, Tracy, Glenda, Annette and Diane Dietrich. Diane not only modelled but also organized, set up and ran the event with a great team of helpers.