By GINNY COOPER / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO—Plans are underway for the annual fundraising event “Springtime Celebration” sponsored by the Montevallo branch of AAUW, the American Association of University Women.

The event has been held annually for at least the past two decades, co-president Sandra Lott said, but the group has added different activities throughout the years.

This year, the event will include a silent auction featuring arts, crafts, seasonal gifts and specialty items. Following the auction, women from the club and the community will model clothes provided by Belk, while Ed Robertson, a professor at the University of Montevallo Music Department accompanies the fashion show on the piano.

The AAUW recruits volunteer models from the community, with a strong emphasis on diversity in ages and backgrounds.

“We want to celebrate the diverse styles and talents that are in our community,” Lott said.

The event raises money for a variety of organizations, including Reading Is Fundamental, adult literacy tutoring programs and scholarships for women.

The fundraising goal for this year’s event is $4,000, an amount the club has come close to reaching in recent years, according to Lott.

“Springtime Celebration” will take place March 20 at 11:30 a.m. at the John Stewart Student Retreat on the University of Montevallo campus.

“It’s our big fundraiser for the year. We’re trying to raise money to support a variety of educational funds,” Lott said.