SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Modeling a mother-in-law dress from the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s thrift store, Bette Coopland walks the catwalk during the eighth annual St. Vincent de Paul Sacred Heart Conference High Tea and Fashion Show fundraiser. It was held Thursday at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center in Punta Gorda.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
From left: Linda Powell; Evelyn Cotyk, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Sacred Heart Conference; Charlotte Boland, who co-chaired the event with Terri Provenza; Joan Tehan show off their hats, a popular accessory at the event.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Amanda Sanders, owner Donna Cardenas, and Marie Norton pose at the Port Charlotte Florist table, which had the most elaborate of centerpieces.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
The Rev. Jerry Caywell, pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, was the only male guest at the High Tea. After leading the women in prayer, and a mention of the new pope, he donned a very fashionable hat in honor of the women.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
LeoNora Suglio and Marji Cyr were among the many who took advantage of the racks of slightly used clothing. All proceeds benefitted the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Volunteer Tim Tyler helps Linda Cross down the steps of the catwalk, where she was modeling an $8 cocktail dress.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
JoAnn Anderson, Maria Price, Charlene Colonna, (sitting) Claire Fitzgerald, Carol Butera and Rita Strange pose in their hats for the High Tea.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Rita Suarino, Terri Provenza, who co-chaired the event with Charlotte Boland, and Rosemarie Carroll visit just before the start of the fashion show..

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
(Front) Kathy Frey, Pat Combs; (back) Cher Clark, RoseAnne McCaffrey, Marie Geggis, Sandy Biell and Cindy Zeman, were just a few of the volunteer hostesses for the event.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Dede Barenhotz and Betty Peterson opted to wear fascinators in their hair versus hats.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Elaine Graham, one of the models for the event, also volunteers with the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

SUN PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Perhaps the youngest attending the tea, Brynna Norkin, 4, joined her mother, Lauren, at the “big girl table” for tea, savories and sweets.