ANDOVER — Seniors walked the runway of The Robb Center for the annual fashion show and Mother’s Day luncheon on Thursday.
The event, in its fourth year, celebrates all maternal figures who have made a positive impact in someone’s life, Robb Center Assistant Director Kelly McShane said.
Seniors and some Robb Center staff strutted down the “catwalk” to model the outfits they picked out at the Andover Thrift Shop to a sold-out room for the luncheon.
“It gives people an opportunity to check off their bucket list something they might never do,” McShane said.
The event is one of the most popular and anticipated events that the Senior Center holds every year as it’s one that brings joy to those who attend it, Director of Elder Services Jane Burns said.
McShane emceed the event, detailing the wardrobe of the models and tidbits about them. Many of the models have volunteered in some capacity at the Robb Center, like driving for its Meals on Wheels program or lending a hand in its Fix It program.
“We have a multi-talented model group here,” McShane said. “It gives us a chance to showcase our seniors and those who volunteer.”
The youngest at heart, Jane Vondell, 97, opened and closed the fashion show with two outfits she put together.
Over the years, Vondell has been a volunteer to the Meals and Wheels program.
Her look paid homage to her vacationing days with her husband in Florida as she outfitted herself with a sun hat, binoculars and capri pants. She later came back for a second look, this time with bedtime with a blue silk robe and her Teddy Bear.
Former two-time North Andover poet laureate Gayle Heney showed off a pink, silk ensemble, showing off the three-piece set to the crowd while Linda Sanatamaria strolled through the crowd with a cranberry beret and floral blouse to match.
Alease Bruce wanted to wear something with bright colors when she spotted pink and green peonies on a jacket’s pattern. The bright colors and straw hat to tie the look together reminded her of spring and Mother’s Day attire she would wear over the years.
McShane said it’s a feel-good event and leaves everyone with a lot of joy and laughter.
The models had a two-week window to find their outfits at the Andover Thrift Shop. Volunteers at the thrift shop spend quality time with the seniors, allowing them to come to the shop and have the store to themselves before it opened.