HARLINGEN — Women dressed in local fashion walked down a lighted stage and were greeted with applause.
Meanwhile, first responders and local law enforcement walked around filling guests’ glasses with tea.
It was Loaves & Fishes’ 12th Luncheon and Style Show yesterday and more than 300 women came dressed in their best outfits to support the cause.
Annually, the event brings in more than $30,000 for the shelter and Loaves & Fishes Executive Director Bill Reagan expected yesterday to be no different.
Reagan said the event grew in its first two years but has remained a similar size since then.
“We reached our maximum very quickly, about 10 years ago,” Reagan said.
The fashion show is one of the biggest fundraisers the organization puts on every year to benefit the shelter.
“It’s a big tradition,” Reagan said. “Tables are always full. We have a big crowd.”
More than 10 women from the community dressed in outfits from local shops, Bec’s Fashions and Lionel’s Western Wear and Boutique.
This year, the event included local law enforcement volunteers who ushered guests to their seats and helped serve tea and water.
“This is the first time we had law enforcement be the celebrity ushers,” Reagan said.
In the past, men of the church and who were active in the community were invited to play waiters and serve drinks and show the women to their tables.
Reagan said because it was the 12th year the organization was hosting the event, he wanted to do something different.
“We invited law enforcement this year just to change it up because it is our 12th year and we wanted to infuse a little more energy into it,” Reagan said. “When Chief Adickes was approached about it, he was of course very enthusiastic,” he said of Police Chief Jeffry Adickes.
The Harlingen police and fire departments were in attendance along with South Texas Emergency Care and Constable Eddie Solis’s office.
Former Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos was also a guest waiter.
