Valley Rotary plans fashion fundraiser

Mike Payson, president-elect of the Spokane Valley Rotary, was recently fitted for a new outfit.

A sport coat, a shirt, pants, “and shoes with green soles,” he said. “That’s so far from me, you can’t even imagine.”

Payson will be wearing the green-soled shoes during the Spokane Valley Men of Rotary Fashion Show on Friday at CenterPlace. The show is one of Spokane Valley Rotary’s biggest fundraisers of the year, raising money to purchase books for elementary schools in Spokane Valley as well as scholarship funds for high school seniors.

“You think fashion show, you think women,” he said, but he’s heard of this kind of event in other parts of the country.

The evening will start with a dinner. There will be silent and live auctions, donated items include a signed copy of George Nethercutt’s book, “In Tune with America,” and a flight to and from Lake Pend Oreille with a sailboat ride. There will be games – a ring toss for bottles of wine and a bead game. Molly Allen and Rotary member Terry Fossum will host the evening.

“Every dime goes toward the kids,” said Payson, who has never done any modeling before. Last year, the Rotary raised about $6,900 through its fashion show.

The 18 models are men from about seven Rotary Clubs throughout the area, including Deer Park and Liberty Lake. Each will model two outfits from Men’s Wearhouse.

Payson said he first became a Rotarian in 1997 when the company he worked for required its managers to be involved in the community. He later took some time off from the group, but returned after he retired.

“There’s so much need out there,” he said. The Spokane Valley chapter has been involved in several local charitable groups, from Spokane Valley Partners to Boy Scouts.

The books purchased by the Rotarians go to students at six elementary schools – Trent, Trentwood, Broadway, Opportunity, Ness and Orchard Center – to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Last year, 2,600 students received their own book.

The scholarships of $1,000 each go to high school seniors. Last year, they interviewed about 20 students who wrote an essay as part of the application process. They awarded the scholarships to three boys and three girls who are attending schools such as Spokane Community College, Eastern Washington University and Brigham Young University.

Payson said the event is part of the club’s motto, which is “Service above self.”

“It’s a good, fun evening,” Payson said.