By Martha Cooper-Hudson
Imagine not knowing where you will sleep tonight. Or having a job that doesn’t pay enough to afford a place to live on one hand and on the other hand you make too much money to qualify for any assistance from the government. Imagine your baby crying and crying because he or she is hungry but you have no money to feed your child. Imagine sleeping in the woods, in abandon cars, or on the
streets with your children. Imagine having a college degree but can’t find a job, therefore you find yourself in the dark and a very dark place. Imagine people looking at you and treating you as if you did not matter. Imagine being a person who feels as if the people around you will feed their animals before feeding a human in need. These are the stories I heard from a group of brave woman and their children who now find themselves homeless.
As my family and I volunteered to feed and spend time with these remarkable, strong, and courageous women and their adorable children, I began to realize that we, the residents of Beaufort County, must do more to get involved with this growing population of homeless children and families. I was shocked to find out that there are more than 325 homeless children and their families in Beaufort County, but no one talks about it.
Imagine the sorrow and joy I felt this past December as I was leaving Walmart with my daughter when she saw a mother holding a sign that said “I am homeless and I simply want to feed my son.” I watched my daughter go into her purse to find some money to give this mother in need. After she gave the mom the money, she rolled up her window in the car and turned to me with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face and said, “That felt so good, but, mom, we must do more.”
More is what the organization Women of Greatness has decided to do. First, by becoming volunteers with Family Promise of Beaufort County where we are dedicated to help where we are needed.
Second, Women of Greatness has decided to host an evening of Haute Couture, Embracing Fashion and Community, with a portion of the proceeds going to Family Promise of Beaufort County which is a non-profit organization that feeds and provides shelter for residents countywide.
The event will feature designs by SCAD graduate justdorneisha, Jones of NYC and makeup by Bare Minerals. There will be a surprise celebrity guest along with local VIP individuals. Music will be provided Drysdale Entertainment Unlimited, hors d’oevuers served by the Holiday Inn, local business owners as vendors, great networking, and tons of door prizes by White House Black Market, Stein Mart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Grace & Glory, Kay Jewelers, GNC, Buffalo Wild Wings, just to name a few.
The community is invited to this evening of Haute Couture that supports Family Promise of Beaufort County on Friday May 30 at the Holiday Inn & Suites, Boundary Street, Beaufort. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., there will be food, shopping, networking and music. Then from 7:30 to 9 p.m. will be a fashion show.
For tickets or for more information, visit www.wogfashionexplosion.eventbrite.com or www.marthacooperhudson.com.
