Maurices in Tiger Town will host its second annual "Rescues & Runways" fashion show this Friday, Sept. 24. The event’s goal is to raise awareness and support for local animal shelters and to increase pet adoptions.

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“This campaign is called 'Rescues & Runways' and Maurices stores across the country are involved, in partnership with ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals),” said Christy Chavers, store manager. “It’s a great way to create awareness of the need for pet adoptions and to raise supplies and financial support for our local shelter.”

Chavers is new to the Auburn-Opelika area, and has only been manager for a few months. She hopes to increase not only awareness of Maurices and its clothes, but the store’s cause as well.

Maurices’ shoppers volunteered to serve as models and will wear the chain’s fall fashions. Models can purchase their outfit for 20 percent off the normal price.

“We let our shoppers become models,” Chavers said. “They love to wear our fashion, and they want to help the community any way that they can."

Maurices will be giving the ASPCA a minimum donation of $50,000, and ultimately hopes to raise more than $100,000.

This year, animals will not be attending the fashion show. The Lee County Humane Society wants to avoid any liability, but Chavers said the point of the show is to bring awareness to the issue of homeless pets.

“We don’t feel like spontaneous adoptions tend to have longevity, and we definitely want a happy home for the animal,” Chavers said.

The "Rescues & Runways" campaign will continue through the month of September, and local residents are invited to stop by Maurices to donate pet supplies or monetary gifts to benefit the Lee County Humane Society. Maurices will provide supporters with a 20 percent off coupon.

Maurices is also offering its Friends for Life charm in stores and online at www.maurices.com through Oct. 31. A pet wears half of the charm and the pet’s owner wears the remaining half. The charm is $5, and $2.50 from each sale will go to support ASPCA’s national programs.

“What we love about this campaign is that there are so many simple but powerful ways people can help,” said Elysia Howard, vice president of marketing and licensing for ASPCA. “However people choose to get involved – either through buying a Friends for Life charm, donating to their local animal shelter, or even welcoming a pet into their home through adoption, they will be doing their part to help save animals’ lives.”

The fashion show will begin Friday at 7 p.m. For more information, please visit www.maurices.com.