In this photo: Co-Chairs Ellen Goldenson and Kristin Dewey, WHDH-TV reporter Linda Ergas, and Mary Doolan, President of Sowing Seeds

Last month, on November 14^th, over 400 people mingled over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston. Prizes were awarded and everyone was completely entertained, but this wasn’t an ordinary holiday party. This special occasion, otherwise known as the 2^nd Annual Holiday Auction and Fashion Show, was a fund-raising event to benefit Sowing Seeds, a non-profit organization that helps Marshfield residents in need.

There are hundreds of Sowing Seeds volunteers who pitch in at the clothing bank or in the intake/outreach program, but at the center of it all is this big fashion event. And the person behind the big event is Kristin Dewey, a local real estate professional who is also co-chair of the Friends of Sowing Seeds.

Kristin is one of those rare individuals who is quick to jump on board and get involved. It is in her DNA, no doubt, as it was her mother, Jacqueline Egan, who, 15 years ago, was one of the founding members of Sowing Seeds. “Through her it has always been in my life,” Kristin says. So when she was asked to organize the first fashion show last year she gladly stepped up to the plate.

Sowing Seeds helps about 100 Marshfield residents every month by providing basic needs such as clothes or food cards, but they will also help with rent and utility bills or transportation to appointments or the grocery store if needed.  Many of the volunteers are professional people with expertise ranging from accounting to psychology and social work. That’s because the people who have lost a job and have been struggling to get by do need the financial help that Sowing Seeds offers. “But for the most part we have a huge amount of compassion for people that just need a helping hand,” Kristin says. “Sometimes is just a conversation.”

Because the group relies 100% on donations and volunteers, and because the tough economy was bringing more people to their door, they had to start to think big. The holiday auction and fashion show brings in a good amount of much-needed money, and in just one year it is growing substantially. Last year about 200 people attended. This year there were well over 400 attendees.

This year’s fund-raiser included a silent auction with over 60 items--- including a trip to Tuscany. The fashion show featured local models wearing clothing donated by local designers and boutiques including Natale’s, Pot Pourri, Karen Warren, Jennifer Reale, Crossing Main, Buckles & Boards, and Olivia Rose, including jewelry from Stella & Dot.

“It is inspiring to me that there are so many people out there who are willing to donate so much of their time for the greater good of all people,” Kristin says.

But for those working alongside Kristin watching her manage the many moving parts—from hair and makeup for the models to cashiers and auction monitors—it is Kristin who is so very inspiring!

For more information on how you can donate or volunteer, visit the Sowing Seeds website at: www.sowingseedsofhope.net

By Stephanie Neil

Stephanie Neil is a journalist. Her business, technology, and human interest stories have appeared in a variety of print and online newspapers and magazines including eWeek, Managing Automation, The Harvard Alumni Bulletin, Huggies Baby Network, South Shore Woman, and The Boston Globe.  She lives on the South Shore with her two kids, two cats, and a dog. Contact info: stephanieneil@comcast.net  or 781-378-1652. Follow her on Twitter @StephanieNeil