MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A small number of tickets remain for the Lauren’s Wish Fashion Show Thursday night at the Erickson Alumni Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. with a reception until 6 p.m., and the show starts at 6:30 p.m. sharp.
Lauren’s Wish is an addiction triage center named after Michael Cole’s daughter, who died of fentanyl poisoning in July of 2020 while she was seeking treatment. When she passed away, she was studying for her master’s degree in social work at WVU. Lauren’s Wish is a stopping point for those suffering substance abuse disorder until a treatment bed is available.
“It provides a safe place to stay while they are awaiting placement in a long-term treatment facility,” Emcee of the event C’Anna Keffer said. ” No other facility offers what Lauren’s Wish does and it really bridges that gap for those individuals that say they’re ready to get clean.”
The theme of the show on Thursday is “Destinations,” so Keffer said they want to prepare you with the proper fashions for whatever corner of the globe or the country you plan to travel to. The event even includes state Attorney General J.B. McCuskey showing off a yet-to-be-announced style.
“Help you prepare to dress fashionably for wherever your summer travels may take you,” Keffer said. “So, think of Europe, the Caribbean, Nashville, and all points in between.”
Keffer said, in addition to providing important support for the addiction services provided by Lauren’s Wish, 15 local businesses will bring items to the show.
“It not only creates a lasting impact for Lauren’s Wish and Lauren’s legacy, but it also supports and highlights some fantastic local businesses,” Keffer said.
In just about two years of operation, Lauren’s Wish has helped nearly 1,000 people into treatment with an 89 percent success rate. Lauren’s Wish provides the space for those who have no other place to go or would be released back into unsafe situations.
“Lauren’s Wish survives and thrives on community support,” Keffer said. “We do not charge for any service we offer, and so having the community engage with us helps us drive the mission forward and support those vulnerable in our community facing substance abuse disorder.”
Additional events in the future are the 2nd Annual Shotguns & Sunflowers, May 16 at 11 a.m. at the Hunting Hills Shooting Preserve, or the September golf outing. Tax-deductible donations can also be made at the website.
“The following week we have a sporting clay shoot with the Mazey family just up the road in southwest Pennsylvania,” Keffer said. “We also have the annual Lauren’s Wish Birthday Bash and Golf Outing coming up on the 18th and 19th of September.”