FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Dresses will twirl on a poinsettia-lined stage as Belk, Dress Barn and Utopia fashions waft down the runway. Guests will enjoy cocktails and catered goodies while they hover over silent auction items such as a WWII veteran’s flag from former Congressman Sonny Callahan during a Sept. event.

While cooler weather reminds many that Christmas is just around the corner, members of the Eastern Shore Exchange Club are planning a “Home for the Holidays” fashion show to warm hearts and help others.

Exchange Club committee members hope the event will raise money to ship, cast, engineer and install a statue for the Fairhope Veterans Memorial to be located at George Henry Park, according to Jim Jeffries, an Exchange Club Military Committee member.

Any funds above the statue’s needed $25,000 will go to The Family Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Exchange Club President-elect Jewel Miller Byrd explained.

Byrd said that these two charities represent causes that are close to her heart.

“I was married to an Army recruiter for 23 years and I went during Operation Desert Storm with chaplains and officers to help families,” she said, a look of dedication on her face.

She said she organized transportation orders, food, clothing and schools for three years. She also worked in child-abuse and rape units and spent three months volunteering with Operation Iraqi overseas orders.

Byrd said she was proud to work with Gen. George S. Patton’s son at Nelligan Barracks, Stuggart, Germany.

“Every military installation I’ve been on, I’ve been heavily involved,” she said.

Byrd’s past has led her to an active present.

“Just about anytime I try to talk about it, I cry, but we lost one with the 1165th (Military Police Co.), and after the July (Fairhope Veterans Memorial) fundraiser, I promised the mayor at the city council meeting that I would organize a fashion show to raise the rest of the $25,000,” she explained with emotion. “The show will include military from the 1165th — two military men and two women in dress uniform.”

She explained that many organizations have come together to support the cause.

Lori Dubose, general manager of WABF radio, will help Darwin Singleton as emcee for the event.

“The radio loves to support as many community events as we can,” Dubose explained. “I do some emceeing and I’m in Citizens for Local Troop Support, so it’s only natural.”

Dress Barn and Belk in the Eastern Shore Centre, along with Utopia in Fairhope will donate clothing items and accessories to be modeled during the show.

Kim Mayer, Belk public relations, was also ready to support the causes.

“Belk is always looking for opportunities to get more involved in the community,” Mayer said enthusiastically. “We’re donating clothes for the fashion show — the fall and winter line for men and women.”

“The theme is ‘Home for the Holidays,’ so we’re going to try to dress it up a bit.

“It’s a very good cause, child advocacy and the memorial for the Fairhope veterans.

“When they approached us, we were more than happy to help.”

Finally, Byrd said that she couldn’t pull off the event without the help of her husband, Jim Byrd, owner of Safe Harbor Financial Services.

“He’s done everything,” she exclaimed. “He’s got a heart and is involved with several different charitable organizations.”

The Sept. 22 show will begin with cocktails and silent auction at 5:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $40 in advance and $45 at the door.

For tickets, call Exchange Club President Nita Stewart at 251-510-7504 or Byrd at 251-928-4492.