Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: The 11th annual Pamper Me Ladies Night Out was yet another successful evening.
By Jon Johnson
THATCHER – The 11th annual Pamper Me Ladies Night Out on Thursday night was a hit and not only provided a great space for vendors and their select clientele to mix and mingle but also raised money to help a little girl from the community.
Women from all over the Gila Valley and beyond flocked to the exposition at Eastern Arizona College’s Activities Center to bask in the bevy of products dedicated to them. Numerous vendors offered a variety of women-centered products, including an eclectic variety of food, various spa and exercise facilities, homemade soap and jewelry, specialized lotions, and, of course, beauty supplies and clothing.
The event is the brainchild of EAC’s student activities director Patti Wren, who said the original purpose of the evening was to teach students how to orchestrate such an undertaking and to show the plethora of local fashion possibilities.
Some entrepreneurs also spread out into the realm of what some mothers would be interested in purchasing for their children, as brothers Cooper and Carter Peck, of Thatcher, hawked their “Fly Ties” line.
Giselle and Barry Billeaudeau, of Willcox, have been to each Ladies Night Out event selling their handmade soaps, essential oils, lotions and more. They told the Gila Herald that they always have a great time at the event and it is a very successful night.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Giselle said.
While the highlight of the evening was the annual fashion show featuring wares available local clothing stores and modeled by locals, the raffle fundraiser and admission fees benefited Kaybri Echols, a young girl who suffers from epilepsy.
Event volunteer Lisa Oliver operated the grand raffle station and said raising money to help those in the community was an important aspect of the evening for her.
“It raises a lot of money for really good causes,” she said.
According to Oliver, the money raised during the event would go toward the purchase of a service dog for Echols.
