Lisa Uzzle Gates
Health and Research News Service
Ronald McDonald House

JACKSON, Miss.—Ronald McDonald’s look may never go out of style, but the rest of us aren’t so lucky.

Fashion mavens on the lookout for the latest in fall styles can join the fast-foot icon Saturday as he takes center stage and center court with the latest in fall fashions from Dillard’s in Metrocenter. Raffles held during the free show, from noon to 3 p.m., will benefit Mississippi’s Ronald McDonald House.

“We have had a long and wonderful relationship with Dillards. They are like family to us,” Paige Christopher, events coordinator for the non-profit house, said. “This is another event they have developed to benefit us and we are very appreciative.” Mississippi’s Ronald McDonald House opened in 1989 in Jackson and has since provided lodging for over 3,500 families of sick and injured children hospitalized at Methodist Rehabilitation Center, the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children and other area hospitals. There are 232 Ronald McDonald houses worldwide.

A ladies’ and men’s fragrance basket, with a retail value of $200 each, will be raffled off at the event with all proceeds going to the house. Raffle tickets are $1 each and can only be purchased during the fashion show. Local musical entertainment, including the Pearl High School Dance Team will perform from noon until 1 p.m. WJTV anchor Melanie Christopher will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The fashion show will also kick off the store’s compact disc sale to benefit the house. The $10 CD, featuring all Christmas music, comes with a children’s book and all sales go to the Ronald McDonald House. Paige Christopher said the CD is a project Dillards stores have done on a national level for several years. It will be on sale in the store during the holiday season.

“We have a company-wide commitment to the Ronald McDonald House,” said Tim Adkinson, Dillards Metrocenter store manager. “They are a great organization and we are glad to be able to do things to benefit them. The fashion show will be a wonderful event for the store, the mall and the Ronald McDonald House.”

This is the first year for the show. Jeff Roberson, manager of the Dillards hair salon, came up with the idea.

“We will have fashions for all ages and in all styles, from holiday wear to the latest in winter fashions, modeled by customers of the store,” Roberson said. “We will also have displays set up from our home décor departments.”

And while Ronald McDonald will be on stage, his only ensemble will be the standard yellow and red clown costume he is so well known for.

“We want everyone to come out. It’s going to be a fun afternoon. We’ll have local musical entertainment from noon to 1 p.m. and then the show runs until 3 p.m. We’ll give away door prizes and there will be refreshments for sale,” Roberson said.

For more information about the fashion show or the CD, call 981-LOVE.

For more information:
Dillard's fashion event to benefit organization | The Clarion-Ledger