Fashion “Cents”
With Memorial Day right around the corner, we turn our thoughts to veterans and those who currently serve in our armed forces. While many set aside this special day to honor those current and past military personnel, there is an organization with roots right here in Edmonds that assists veterans and their families all year long.
Operation Military Family began in 2007 by Mike Schindler. Schindler had served in the U.S. Navy, and in 1994 transitioned back into civilian life where he pursued a career in technology. He became increasingly aware of the escalating divorce rate among military families and wanted to help. He, along with his wife, interviewed over 100 couples to learn how they maintained a strong marriage while being separated due to deployments. From those interviews, he wrote a book, “Operation Military Family,” providing advice to others on how to battle through the stress of deployment.
But Mike wanted to do more to assist military personnel transition to civilian life, and that is when he founded Operation Military Family. The goals of the organization include lowering periods of unemployment, engaging the veteran in education and apprenticeship programs, assisting veterans who want to start a small business, helping reduce the divorce rate among veterans and current military personnel, and reducing the suicide rate among the population it serves.
In an effort to assist Operation Military Family in their efforts, C’est la Vie boutique and Operation Military Family Cares is sponsoring Operation Fashion Forward, a charity fashion show that celebrates and supports military families in our area.
The event, which will be held on Thursday, May 14 at the Edmonds Yacht Club from 5:45 to 7pm, will feature food and beverages from some of our community’s finest restaurants, including wine donated by Page Cellars of Woodinville, and many raffle items as well.
“Our models for the evening will be family members from local military families,” shared Colleen Bowman, owner of C’est la Vie whose clothing will be featured at the show.
Following Operation Fashion Forward, attendees are invited to C’est la Vie to enjoy champagne, dessert and shopping with a 15 percent discount for participants.
Tickets for this fabulous event are $25 per person if purchased online or $35 at the door, however advanced ticket purchases are recommended. They can be purchased by going online to www.eventbrite.com and searching for Operation Fashion Forward in Edmonds.
Proceeds from this event will benefit veterans who are in need of employment an emergency services.
