PENN TWP — While those in attendance at the fourth annual fashion show fundraiser, Restoring Hope on the Runway, on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Butler Country Club dressed up to come shop; bid on high-end raffle baskets and silent auction items; enjoy lunch; and meet friends, all were reminded of the real purpose of the event, supporting the Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center’s pursuit of addiction recovery.

Jeremy Agostino, better known as “Auggie,” stepped up to a microphone handed over by the event’s emcee, Laura Crago, Butler Eagle podcast producer, and told his inspiring story of hitting rock bottom before bouncing back up to live his best life as a sober man.

Agostino told the packed hall that he received many injuries as a college football player, and became addicted to painkillers.

“It got me in a lot of trouble with the law,” he said.

Rock bottom

Agostino said he hit rock bottom when he was arrested in front of a crowd of people that included his 6-year-old son.

When a judge ordered him to attend an addiction program, he found himself in a program in Butler County that included a stint at the Gaiser Center from October to December 2021.

“I tell ya what,” Agostino said, “I don’t know where I’d be if not for the people in those rooms at Gaiser.”

He went from inpatient treatment to a halfway house to a three-quarter house, and has been sober ever since.

The moment when Agostino realized his life’s value occurred while on a bus in Erie, on his way back to the halfway house where he was staying.

He planned on saying or doing whatever he needed to in order to be released from the halfway house, and admitted he was making a half-hearted effort in his recovery journey.

But while a passenger on that bus, an 8-year-old boy ran in front of the vehicle and was killed.

“That was my lightning rod moment,” Agostino said with a cracking voice.

Agostino is among those who are able to remain drug-free after treatment, and he is the proud and sober father of his two young boys.

“I have a new appreciation for life,” he said.

Sharing her story

Sami Roth, who is Miss Butler County, also shared her story of sexual assault during her college years and her difficulty in dealing with the attack, because no one would listen to her at first.

Roth suffered anxiety-induced seizures and was stigmatized by her friends and even administrators at her university. She even missed her graduation ceremony because officials would not switch her seat, which was next to her attacker’s.

Roth now has a nonprofit, Take a Stand Against Sexual Violence, a podcast and a blog; and she shares her story with females of all ages.

Before Agostino’s and Roth’s powerful presentations, those attending the fashion show mingled, dropped in tickets for raffle baskets, shopped two rooms of vendors, and signed up for silent auction items.

The vendors included those selling clothing, hats, hair clips, candy, jewelry, decor and other items.

Items available in the silent auction included autographed George Pickens and T.J. Watt Steelers jerseys; Steelers and Penguins tickets; Butler County Symphony season tickets; and other top-shelf prizes.

Community support

Joe Mahoney, executive director at the Gaiser Center, said the show has garnered between $20,000 and $30,000 for the center in the fundraiser’s four years of existence.

He said almost $20,000 of that amount comes from sponsors.

“The fashion show really highlights the community support in uplifting recovery,” Mahoney said.

He appreciates everyone who dons their best outfit and spends their Saturday at the event.

“I think it shows that they are involved in the cause of recovery within their community,” Mahoney said.

He said Ellen’s House, which is a home for women in recovery and their children, now has five residents staying there along with their children.

“One baby is permanently living there with her mother,” Mahoney said.

He explained the mother, who is in recovery, had weekend visitation with the baby at Ellen’s House, but the county Children & Youth Services deemed Ellen’s House such a stable environment that the mother was granted full custody of her baby.

Mahoney said most of the funds from Saturday’s fashion show will be used to upgrade the outdoor spaces at Ellen’s House, so mothers and their children can enjoy the outdoors during temperate months.

“We are just so thankful for the community,” Mahoney said. “Not every community shows up like this for addiction recovery.”

Quite fashionable

Many people traversed the country club in search of a sweater, feathered fascinator or bauble to buy.

Gail Gagnon wore a stylish metallic jacket of black-and-gold triangles with the collar worn at attention.

It was Gagnon’s first time at the fashion show.

“It’s an important fundraiser for an important organization,” she said. “Addiction doesn’t just involve the addiction, it involves the family, community and even future generations.”

Audrianna Bly, general manager at the Springhill Suites Hotel in Butler, attended her second fashion show fundraiser Saturday.

“I’m sorry I missed the other ones, because I had such a good time last year,” she said.

Bly perused all the vendors carefully.

“I love to shop local, and all the local places are in one spot here,” she said.

She said Butler AM Rotary Club will do a project this year to benefit the Gaiser Center.

“Unfortunately there is a stigma with people in recovery, and we need to get past that and support individuals in recovery,” Bly said.

Donald Bullman is secretary of the Gaiser board of directors, and was in charge of the event’s 31 models, who were comprised of those in recovery and various friends of Bullman’s.

Stylists from Bullman’s salon, Reflections Hair Studio, did the models’ hair and makeup for the fashion show.

Bullman, who wore a knee-length metallic duster and avant-garde glasses, said all the clothing and accessories modeled came from Butler County shops.

He said those who furrow their brows at the thought of a legitimate fashion show in Butler County do not understand the county.

“I think we have more opportunities here than people realize,” Bullman said.

Sadie Lunn, 7, wore a burgundy dress, Mary Jane shoes and a silver-and-pearl necklace to the fashion show.

Sadie said she most enjoyed shopping at the vendor booths, where her mom bought her a pair of cheetah shoes.

“And I like the hair clips,” she said.

Her friend, Madison Wetzel, 8, wore a stylish denim jacket and black boots.

She most enjoyed looking over the earrings the vendors had for sale.

Harper Jack, daughter of event coordinator and Gaiser Center executive assistant, Ave Jack, served as a volunteer at the fashion show.

“It’s a great event that showcases a lot of small businesses in Butler that deserve a lot of recognition for their styles and contributions to Butler County,” she said.

She called her mother “selfless” in all things, but especially in her position with the Gaiser Center.

“She deserves a lot of credit for this event,” Jack said. “She’s put her heart and soul into it.”

Michele Stockard has attended all four fashion shows.

“It’s a wonderful event and a great fundraiser,” she said.

Stockard was on the hunt for Christmas decorations and jackets on Saturday.

“And at this time of year, there’s fall decor, too,” she said.

Stockard summed up the reason for the popularity of the fashion show.

“People want to help,” she said. “That’s why it sells out every year.”

Models walk the runway during the fourth annual Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center’s fashion show at Butler Country Club on Saturday, Oct. 19. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Models walk the runway during the fourth annual Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center’s fashion show at Butler Country Club on Saturday, Oct. 19. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Jeremy Agostino speaks during the fourth annual Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center’s fashion show at Butler Country Club on Saturday, Oct. 19. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Miss Butler County Sami Roth walks the runway during the fourth annual Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center’s fashion show at Butler Country Club on Saturday, Oct. 19. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle