First of all, I want to thank all of my friends, including you, Carrie, my family and sponsors for personally supporting me throughout each stage of the planning of this incredibly successful event. It was truly a miracle, from start to finish, planned by the hand of God; there is no question in my mind about that. Over 250 tickets were purchased and we were sold out the week before the show. Proceeds of @ $3,000.00 will be given to assist the crime victims through the Reach Center in Columbia and Greene Counties and that was without really pushing raffles and getting very little sponsor cash. We kept the cost of the tickets fairly low at $25.00 which included dinner, to make sure it was affordable to most women. I'd say that the percentage was about a 60-40% women to men; surprising, considering that the event was titled, "Women's Concealed Carry Holster Fashion Show."
The week before the show we received many emails and requests asking if it was too late to purchase a ticket and/or a vendor table. In total we had to turn over 40 away. There just wasn't enough room for more. We know what needs to be done to improve on the next show and we expect it to be a much larger crowd in 2013.
Vendors were: JesseGunLeather, BulletDesignsLLC, Armed in Stilettos, DeSantis, R&R Tactical Arms, Shooters Supplies, Guns Inc., Columbia Police Supplies, Ameribag, Sharpshooter USA, Galco, Renaissance Firearms Instruction, Dynamic Firearms Instruction, Gunspec, Modern Self Defense Academy, Mary Kay, Lafcor, Bonnie Botts Dry Creek Quilts, NYSRPA, NRA, Columbia County Sheriff's Office, The Well Armed Woman LLC, Friends of NRA, Tri Village Rod and Gun Club, Hudson Fish & Game Club, Pack N' Bake Aprons, Shooting Glasses, by SaccoBrown, Reaction Targets, and others who sponsored door prize gifts and they were all pleased to be part of this nationally recognized event.
The evening started with an opening, prayer and the pledge of allegiance, followed by the reciting of the 2nd amendment; then the responsibilities of guns owners was addressed and our emcee, Kitty Richards introduced our guests for the evening. Dinner was served and then our three Top Shot contestants each spoke. Gabby Franco gave an exceptional speech and reminded us that our 2nd Amendment was on the line and if we lose it, we will never get it back. She was given an extended round of applause.
Retired Navy Seal LT. Commander Michael Walsh gave a speech on integrating and adapting as women gun owners and operators into what was predominately a man's world. He spoke on some issue that may have been a little too deep for some coming for a fashion show, but the content was relevant to what is happening in our world today. He encouraged women to train, train more, and train and carry to protect themselves and their loved ones. Also, KC Bauhoff, Director of OnPointTraining LLC spoke on Personal protection in the home. He was excellent.
The much anticipated runway stepped off with "Pistol Packin' Momma" playing in the background. Our beautiful models donned their holsters under various styles of clothing from business suits, to casual to scrubs, one by one after Annette Evans, Firearms Instructor and holster guru from PA and Gracie McKee from Packing Pretty meticulously described and demonstrated the proper draw from various holsters, including the Flashbang and DeSantis' new Thigh Holster. We had gorgeous bullet designed earrings, bracelets and necklaces and some models even sported shooting glasses created by one of our local opticians.
After the runway show, we continued with a personal defense demo using a "kubaton" and then our attorney, Dan Tuczinski gave an excellent presentation on, "The ramifications when you pull the trigger."
Our last speaker was a woman representative who spoke on behalf of the Reach Center who thanked us for what we were doing and noted how she was overwhelmed with the attendance and how grateful she was that we would be willing to help the unfortunate women and children who have been victimized.
I closed the evening in tears (of joy) thanking everyone for believing in me and helping my dream become a reality before my very eyes; to educate women by bringing them to a place where they could feel comfortable and know that there is help out there for each and every one of them; to learn how to be safe, responsible, competent and confident firearms owners and operators. It was an unbelievable evening.
My motto has always been, "A need seen is an assignment given." The need was seen (to educate women), the assignment was given to me and I fulfilled it with a "vehicle" the Women's Concealed Carry Holster Fashion Show to bring the women together to a place to give them information. Now, I must meet the need to provide a service where the huge amount of interest can take action. I look forward to the next phase and will continue to direct this flow of traffic to you, and others like you for good, solid information and education.
Thank you, Carrie, for helping me to "Get the unarmed women off the street, one by one" and may God Bless!
Trish
"The ultimate fashion accessory is the one that keeps you alive!"
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