Special to The Hays Daily News

WILSON -- On Sunday, the Wilson Methodist and Presbyterian tweens and youth groups, in cooperation with the United Christian Women, raised more than $1,100 in support of the Czech Community Action Team Thrift Store.

Tweens and youth participated in a fashion show that poked gentle fun at some of the more out of date items donated to the thrift store.

Deedra Heinrich served as master of ceremonies. Actor/models included Cameron Bloesser, DeAngelo Bryant, Anna Criswell, Adrianna Florke, Madison Hansen, Haylee Hoch, Katie Hoch, Hanna Nevins and Colton Pellant. Kristina Heinrich was the stage manager, assistant director and sound engineer.

The show was well-received by the audience, who responded with laughter and spontaneous ovations.

"The show was fantastic. The kids did a great job," said Debbie Whitmer, president of the Wilson Community Action Team. "I am overwhelmed by this show of support from the community, and I'd like to offer heartfelt thanks on behalf of the board to the tweens and youth groups, the United Christian Women, and all the other people who supported us and helped to pull this together."

After the fashion show, the United Christian Women, with assistance from other local women's groups, provided a soup supper. Featured items included homemade soups and a variety of desserts donated by community members.

"This event, sponsored by our yoked parish with the help of volunteers from many local groups, was the perfect expression of our love and concern for each other and our community as a whole. Everyone did a terrific job. The thrift store provides a very important service for our community. It's important that we all support it -- and the fashion show and soup supper did exactly that in a very creative way. It was fun," Wilson Mayor David Criswell said.

The Czech CAT Thrift Store is a charitable organization founded in 2009 to support worthy causes in the area, such as the Wilson Food Bank. Most recently, the thrift store has assisted families affected by disaster.

The thrift store is located on Main Street in Wilson and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Donations, excluding large items such as appliances and furniture, are welcome.