ELIZABETHTOWN – Meet Pippey. She is a 6-year-old boxer mix that was found injured with open wounds all over her body.

Pippey was taken in by our local A Shelter Friend organization and provided with medical care. In recovery, they learned that she was a sweet natured girl despite her abuse and she loved other dogs. Now that she’s been rehabilitated, she needs a forever home. Pippey is just one example of the amazing love and care provided by A Shelter Friend.

Because ASF is a volunteer organization, they are always in need of funding to help meet their goal of saving the lives of our local furry friends. These animals are not only healed and rehabilitated, they are placed in adoptive homes. This is why Vanessa G. Photography studio chose ASF to benefit from their 2015 VGP Fashion Show, held earlier this year. Ticket sales from this year’s event generated a donation of $1,060.

Vanessa G. Photography organizes the VGP Fashion Show as an exclusive event that allows their high school Senior Models to walk the runway and have true “model” experience. The event, held at LuMil Vineyard, drew in a crowd of a few hundred people. It was important to VGP to also have a greater purpose for the event and give back to the community in some way.

In preparation for the VGP Fashion Show, the studio sought out other local businesses to participate and feature their specialty. This year’s models were featured on the runway wearing a broad selection of current fashions from local boutiques. Among the trendy selections were summer lines from The Ladies Shop & Fisher’s Men’s Store of Elizabethtown, Lee Lee’s Boutique of Whiteville, Rebecca’s of Clinton, and Leinwands of Elizabethtown. The VGP Fashion Show was a high energy event with performances from the Performing Arts School of Clinton, and vocal entertainment from past VGP Senior Model, Halley Hall. Paul Mitchell The School of Fayetteville provided the hair and makeup for all of the models.

During the VGP Fashion Show, volunteers from A Shelter Friend gave a moving presentation about the importance of caring for those that are not able to always care for themselves. Several ASF canines that had been previously adopted, or were ready for a new home, walked the runway with the Senior Models to demonstrate the work ASF has done.

VGP Senior Models, Class of 2016, who walked the runway with confidence and style while representing schools from 11 different high schools in southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina were: Caitlyn Soles, Tara Covas, Kaycei Pait, Makayla Wakefield, Shamekia Vereen, Billy Carroll, Savannah Jernigan, Grace McDuffie, DeLayne Fowler, Savanna Hogg, Madison Singletary, Allison Elrod, Autumn Anderson, Kailey Bullock and Samantha Lane.

Learn more about Vanessa G. Photography, booking a Senior Session, or inquire about how to be a part of next year’s VGP Fashion Show event by visiting their website at www.vanessagphotography.com or call 910-874-0058.

Learn more about A Shelter Friend, how to adopt Pippey, or how to become a volunteer for their organization on their website: http://www.ashelterfriend.org.

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