Nice threads and free exposure for local charities will be the featured attractions at The White Tie Affair gala, sponsored by The Men’s Wearhouse and hosted by SWLA Socialite.

The event will be at 7 p.m. Friday in the Lake Charles Civic Center’s Buccaneer Room. The gala supports the Charity Starts at Home campaign, which is aimed at bringing awareness to local nonprofit organizations.

“In order to impact the world around us, there must be a solid foundation from which to build,” said SWLA Socialite manager Daniel Goodly.

“It is the idea of networking locally. In this instance we have these corporations wanting to get involved. Hopefully the local businesses can benefit from that exposure. Charity Starts at Home came from things being tough for small businesses. The lack of traffic and customers is a problem for a lot of the businesses. So what I want to do is create a big enough platform where they get a lot of exposure. In this instance, we promote the event, and anyone that’s anyone can come on board and promote their involvement.”

Goodly said the Socialite program is designed to help local charities raise money.

“Ideally, what we are supposed to do is provide a platform where they can raise money without spending money to supplement their current fundraising efforts,” he said.

“We are going to introduce a Socialite card, which is a rebate card. Say you spend $100 at a participating merchant; you will get a cash rebate on your card and a matching rebate gets sent to the charity of your choice.

“What I am hoping is that this provides equal billing for all. Some can barely pay their telephone on and doors open. I am hoping to do this year in and year out. We’ll have more causes, more people supporting us. I want to have 1,000 people here in white ties and 60 charities benefitting.”

For more information, call the JME Group LLC at 214-3032 or contact Goodly at 609-271-9744 or staff.jmegroup@gmail.com.

(Special to the American Press)