Lawrence.com

The Douglas County Medical Alliance is having its sixth annual fashion benefit Sept. 8 at Van Go, 715 N.J.

The event starts at 5 p.m. with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and shopping. A fashion show begins at 6 p.m. and will feature local residents wearing clothing and jewelry from downtown Lawrence stores.

“It’s very neat to see people you know modeling clothes that you can go out and buy,” said Adina Morse, event organizer.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. The event benefits:

• Van Go Inc., an arts-based social service agency that provides after-school and summer job training programs to high-needs and under-served youth, ages 14-21.

• Health Care Access, a medical clinic that serves low-income, uninsured Douglas County residents.

Last year, the event raised $2,400, which was evenly split between the agencies.

Lynne Green, Van Go executive director, said, “The community support is so crucial particularly at this time when we are losing lots of sources of state and federal funding.”

For the past 14 years, Van Go has been a lifeline for hundreds of kids and teens in crisis. Using art as the vehicle, it is devoted to delivering constructive activities to children at risk for drug and alcohol use, teen pregnancy, truancy or delinquency.

“We are just thrilled to be chosen as a beneficiary,” Green said.

Both Van Go and Health Care Access are grassroots organizations, so they don’t have national counterparts to lean on when times are tough. Health Care Access also doesn’t receive federal funding.

Through volunteers and donated tests and drugs, the clinic is able to turn $1 of funding into $6.50 worth of essential medical care. The clinic can care for a patient for an entire year for just $360, which includes appointments, referrals, medications, X-rays, tests and health education.

Nikki White King, executive director at Health Care Access, said she likes the fashion event because it not only helps local residents in need of care, but it also encourages local spending.

Ticket holders will get a 20 percent discount at about two dozen Lawrence restaurants and stores between Sept. 8 and Sept. 11. There also will be six vendors at the event.

Among them will be Jenny Brown, of Brown Baubles Jewelry. She will be selling a unique cuff for $10. Half of the proceeds, or $5, will go back to the agencies. The cuff, which is made out of aluminum, will be stamped with “fashion Rx.”

“I want people to be able to get something they enjoy and represents something they care about, and (that) allows them to give back,” Brown said. “These cuffs are to help others help others.”

Brown has attended the fashion benefit for three years. This year, she’s looking forward to seeing her doctor, David Dunlap, model clothes along with some of the teens enrolled in the Van Go program.

“It’s really a fun night out,” she said.

FASHION BENEFIT

The Douglas County Medical Alliance’s sixth annual Fashion Benefit will be Thursday, Sept. 8, at Van Go Inc., 715 N.J. Here are the details:

• 5 p.m. — Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and shopping.

• 6 p.m. — Fashion show.

• Cost — $25 in advance or $30 at door. Tickets can be purchased in advance by e-mailing DCMAfashionshow@gmail.com.

• Discounts — Ticket holders will get a 20 percent discount at 21 Lawrence restaurants and stores between Sept. 8 and Sept. 11. For the list, visit www.dcmaks.org.

• Beneficiaries — Van Go Inc. and Health Care Access.