MONTE VISTA - La Puente’s Jessica Apodaca Ornelas was all smiles at the Fashion Show on Saturday, April 12, at The Church Project Community Art Center in Monte Vista. 

Ornelas, who is La Puente’s director of enterprises, socialized with everyone during the social hour before the Fashion Show.  

Ornelas said, “I am so pleased with the turnout tonight. The community really came out to show their support for this evening. We are excited to show the community what we have to offer in our stores. This is just so wonderful. I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight.”  

Church Project owner Madeleine Ahlborn was also smiling as she introduced Ornelas and the staff from Rainbow’s End thrift store and La Puente who attended the show, including AmeriCorps member Samuel Salazar who helps at the Monte Vista Rainbow’s End store.  Ornelas and Salazar gave a small introduction and the show began.  

The show kicked off with some lively music and featured models of all genders and ages. The show began with two young girls showing off lovely, fancy blue and pink summer dresses. The girls smiled and twirled for everyone and then walked down from the stage. 

Other younger girls showed off colorful pink tops, capri pants, and dresses. Ornelas called off the model’s names as they went up to the stage two by two to show off their ensembles. 

There were business suits, prom dresses, casual clothing, and two who went up with matching attire. Each set of the models showed off their nice clothing. 

According to Ornelas, all the models in the show had chosen the clothes they wore, and the clothes were chosen from all three Valley Rainbow’s End thrift stores - Center, Monte Vista, and Alamosa. There were approximately 40 models. 

The show ended with Ornelas modeling a matching blue and white dress, with her daughter who was wearing a matching blue and white jump suit.  

The show lasted about 45 minutes and was attended by about 120 appreciative people. According to Ahlborn, it was the biggest crowd ever at The Church Project Community Art Building.  

Ornelas explained that for many years Rainbow’s End had participated in a Fashion Show, but due to the COVID pandemic the event was stopped. 

Ornelas said the Fashion Show was brought back in part to help build bridges in the community and to help the Monte Vista Food Pantry, as all proceeds from the show would be given to it. 

Ornelas said she hopes everyone who attended the fashion show will see that Rainbow’s End has a lot to offer to people in the community. “We want to let everyone know that whatever we make at the store, goes back to the community of Monte Vista, to help support families in need too.”  

Director of Communications and Engagement for La Puente, Caroline Keizer, spoke about the importance of the Rainbow’s End stores. “With our Rainbow’s End stores, one hundred percent of net profit goes to La Puente’s client services, which is invested back into the community through a variety of things. Rainbow’s End in Monte Vista supports the Monte Vista community and Rio Grande County at large. A lot of people think that because most of La Puente’s offices are in Alamosa, they just benefit Alamosa families, but again, we want to showcase that Rainbow’s End in Monte Vista is giving back to its own local community. The Fashion Show proceeds will directly benefit the Monte Vista Food Pantry, which is a program of La Puente. In the past year, La Puente has provided about 17,800 meals to the Monte Vista community, so the money from Rainbow’s End definitely goes back into the community.”  

Executive Director of La Puente, Lance Cheslock, attended the show and was proud of how it went. “I loved being in the audience. I am so proud of our AmeriCorps members, our stores, and all the work they do to give back to the Monte Vista community.”