The Zonta Club of Traverse City had such a runaway runway hit on their hands that they needed a larger venue this year.
Filling the Governor's Hall of the Grand Traverse Resort with more than 400 attendees at the Annual Zonta Fashion Show and Luncheon, the program featured the latest casual, evening, outer wear and lounging fashions from ten downtown and local stores. Local models modeled local fashions for the season, raising money for a club that has contributed to a range of community causes since it began 50 years ago.
The show was a high-energy kick-off to holiday season as the club's annual Festival of Trees opens for a five-day run on Wednesday, November 15, at the Hagerty Center.
"It is our largest fundraiser, the Fashion Show and the Festival of Trees," said Nancy Johnson, a Zonta member. "As I look around I see Zonta members, former Zonta members and people from the community — all here because they want to have a good time."
Merchants such as Annie Hill, owner of the Cherry Hill apparel shop downtown, enjoy the show and see it as the landmark beginning of the busy holiday shopping season. Hill, who with two other models was showing some vibrant winter fashions, enjoys the glamour and glitter of the show.
"We participate in this every year, it helps women's causes and it brings people downtown and gets them ready for the holidays," said Hill. "These are all women here who live here year round."
The Zonta Club of Traverse City is one of 1,200 clubs in 68 countries and the local count of 95 members is a mere fraction of the 32,000 Zontans worldwide. The annual Fashion Show and Festival of Trees events are the club's biggest fundraisers, usually taking in between $30,000-40,000. This is the first year that the events have been separated — usually the Fashion Show occurs during the Festival of Trees long weekend — but organizers believe this may be an exciting option.
"We have a record number of attendees this year," noted Deanna Cannon, president of the club. "We do fortunately have good name recognition. As the years go by, it is easier and easier to get sponsors because of that."
Some of that name recognition comes from five decades of service and giving in the region. Programs and causes ranging from the Women's Resource Center, Munson Medical Center and local day care programs to the Traverse City Senior Center, the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department and a drug prevention initiative have benefited over the years.
Operating on two year giving cycles, the club chooses causes that work with their overarching mission of helping women and children. One program that boosts single mothers is the NMC Scholarship for Change that began ten years ago. Since it began granting money to women pursuing an education to better themselves and their families, the program has given out $97,300 in 128 awards. During the most recent two-year cycle that ended in July, the program granted $18,900 in 24 awards.
Women helping and empowering other women, whether in business or family life, is the foundation of the organization.
"We try to help others out in business and generally in life," said Cannon. "Lifelong friends are made here. There's certainly a core group of women and most stay in the club for many, many years."
The Festival of Trees opens Wednesday, November 15, at the Hagerty Center, 715 East Front St., and runs through Sunday, November 19. Each day has different hours and features different special events. Check the club's web site www.zontacluboftraversecity.org for details.