About 100 customers and representatives of area nonprofit  organizations joined Unique Thrift Store managers to celebrate their fifth-annual "Unique Fashion Show" Wednesday.

The program Unique Closet Gift Certificate Program is an annual $100,000 initiative operated by Montgomery County Unique Thrift and Value Village stores, which partner with more than 80 County agencies, nonprofit organizations and schools to distribute free gift cards to disadvantaged County residents.

Since the program began in 2007, stores have distributed $500,000 in gift cards to more than 15,000 County residents in need, enabling them to obtain a variety of merchandise from clothing and winter coats, to books and school supplies, to toys, bed linens, furniture, pots and pans, appliances and more at no charge. 

“We are very proud to continue the wonderful tradition of hosting the Unique Fashion Show, a special event that combines fun and philanthropy, Mike Tudino, Regional Director of  Savers, said.

This year’s Unique Fashion Show models included Sharon Friedman, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Mental Health Association; Vivian Bass, Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Foundation for Group Homes; Marie Henderson, Executive Director, Interfaith Works; and  J. Carter, local stylist and contributor to WUSA TV. 

“The Unique Closet Gift Certificate Program provides thousands of needy families in our community with a convenient and welcome means to find quality clothing, shoes, school supplies and more for themselves and their children,” Councilmember George Leventhal (D, at-large) said.

 “This program exemplifies the kind of partnerships that make Montgomery County a special place to live and work.”