The Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas’ annual fundraiser, The Great Escape, is back to offer shopping, a silent auction, a fashion show, discounted spa services and free screenings.
The event, billed as a day of relaxation for women, will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Conway Expo Center and Fairgrounds, 2505 E. Oak St. Admission is $5 in advance, with tickets available at any Centennial Bank location or online at eventbrite.com, search for The Great Escape. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Carrie Curtis, executive director of the Conway shelter, said this year’s event will be bigger and better than last year.
“There are twice to three times as many vendors this year,” Curtis said.
Donna Rogers, shelter board member and chairwoman of The Great Escape, said there are at least 30 unique vendors, not including the spa services. Vendors include makeup, clothing, jewelry and more.
Curtis said that instead of having a theme as the event has had in past years, “we are going back to more of the original concept … concentrating on the relax, renew and recharge,” Curtis said.
Manicures, hair cuts and massages will be offered for $10. Women may sign up for the services when they arrive.
“We’re making it more simple,” Curtis said, “but still trying to encourage the relaxation part of it — a calm shopping experience with opportunities for the relaxing, pampering part.
“We have more free services than we’ve had in the past,” she said. Conway Regional Medical Center will provide free screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes. Free eye exams will be available, as well as a screening for fibromyalgia and self-assessments for anxiety, Curtis said.
Curtis said one the organizers’ favorite parts of the event, the style show, is scheduled for 2 p.m. It will feature a mixture of retailers, including chains and independent clothing stores.
A DJ will play music at designated times during the event, Curtis said.
Rogers said a silent auction is packed with selections.
“We have wonderful silent-auction items,” she said. Rogers rattled off a list of items, including Southwest Airline tickets, tickets to The Passion Play in Branson, Missouri, a Hot Springs hotel stay, restaurant gift certificates, fitness packages, a wine caddy, jewelry and more.
“We have so much stuff,” she said.
Taziki’s will serve lunch, and 25 percent of the proceeds will go to the women’s shelter, Curtis said.
She said the fundraiser is vital for the continued operation of the shelter, which has space for 18 to 22 women and their children. In addition to a safe place to stay, the facility provides counseling, community education and outreach services.
“With the current grants that we have, there have been decreases — one of ours dropped from $19,000 to $10,000 with no warning,” Curtis said. Also, grants don’t pay for electricity, supplies such as toilet paper, or new sheets for the beds, she said.
Curtis said last year’s event raised “a very disappointing amount: I think it was $8,000. In the heyday, it made up to $25,000, and we really need it to get back to that, especially as funding decreases.”
The need for the women’s shelter has only increased, she said. Curtis said one in three women and one in 11 men will be victims of domestic violence in their lifetime.
Years ago, when the fundraiser was created, the name had a double meaning. Women who attend and “escape” by being pampered, but the goal of the shelter is serious — to help women escape their abusers and get on their feet.
For more information about the shelter, call (501) 329-7405 or go to conwaywomensshelter.com. The crisis-hotline number is (866) 358-2265.
Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.