Maintaining my involvement in the Chicago community is one thing that was important to me when I became an ICO student. In the past, I’ve volunteered with the Chicago Lighthouse, an exceptional organization that provides services, vocation, and much more for individuals with blindness or visual impairment. I started volunteering with the Chicago Lighthouse during undergrad and love the variety of events they have that give back to the community. Last month, I signed on to volunteer at their annual Flair fundraiser.
The event is pretty popular and mixes two things I love: vision and fashion. It’s organized as a pop-up shop in the 900 N. Michigan Shops, at which new and gently used designer garb is sold for a small fraction of retail. The proceeds from the sale support the blind and visually impaired. On the opening night of the four-day sale, there was a cocktail party and a runway show featuring some of the standout pieces. These clothing was worn by models with and without visual impairment. I volunteered during the weekend as a general floor manager, organizing clothing. I also greeted customers, informed them about the sale and cause, and answered questions about brands, sizes, etc. Being immersed in fashion for a worthy cause on a Saturday morning was a perfect escape from the routine of studying.
After my shift, I found two pieces for myself that I’m excited to wear soon. Last year after I volunteered at Flair, I bought a Calvin Klein pantsuit for a song and wore it to my interview here at ICO.
