A downtown fashion show and benefit for Douglas County Senior Services attracted nearly 300 people Saturday.

“Obviously, it’s something that women in Lawrence really wanted,” said Jessie Kwatamdia, a manager with Douglas County Senior Services.

The Tea at Ten & Fashion show, which kicked off last year, took place at Macelli’s, 1031 N.H.

Volunteer models of all shapes and sizes displayed fall fashions from Weavers Department Store. The tea was sponsored by the Kansas University School of Pharmacy.

“It was intended to bring women together – to give them a place where they can dress up and have fun,” Kwatamdia said.

Attendance at this year’s event was more than double last year’s, Kwatamdia said. It was expected to raise approximately $7,000, up from $3,000 last year. The funds go to direct-care services and are not used for administrative costs, said John Glassman, Douglas County Senior Services executive director.

Cheryl Holcomb, budget director for KU’s pharmacy school and chairwoman of the senior services board, said the event was important both for socializing and for raising funds for an important community service.

“With the cuts that we have received from the county and just the economy as it is, we are left more and more to raise money for ourselves,” she said.

Lawrence resident Deborah Horn said she was excited to see the fashions and was impressed with the large crowd.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be this full,” she said. “I think we should do it more often.”