Mustang Foundation, SMU’s only student-run nonprofit organization, will host its first annual trunk show as part of SMU Homecoming activities Nov. 11 in the lobby of the Owen Fine Arts Center. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include local vendors.

Students will have the opportunity to shop for items including jewelry made by SMU students, bags, clothing, purses, shoes and holiday goodies. Twenty-three vendors will be represented at the trunk show.

“This event will provide a great chance to do some early Christmas Shopping as well as show support for the Mustangs during our homecoming weekend,” said Mustang Foundation president Ashley Anderson.

“Additionally, this trunk show has some remarkable jewelry designed by SMU students and with the location in the Bob Hope Lobby, all the visitors to the campus for Homecoming can stop in and shop on their way to the game,” added Anderson.

Mustang Foundation was created in the fall of 2005 when the 20 juniors and seniors enrolled in the Nonprofit Communication class undertook the challenge to form a board of directors dedicated to enriching the SMU community while learning about the structure and management of nonprofit organizations. In the spring of 2006, seven of the original students were asked to continue the board and were joined by faculty and alumni, who are working in the nonprofit arena in the Dallas area.

“Mustang Foundation is created to help the SMU community. Our mission statement is students helping students,” said Development Co-Chair Laura Camp.

The money raised by the Trunk show will go back to the SMU community. Student organizations that do not have charters can apply for assistance from Mustang Foundation. Mustang Foundation’s grants committee will choose one organization and will assist them with funding.

“It is so important to assist student organizations at SMU that do not have charters. Mustang Foundation chooses an organization that has a solid mission statement that we support,” said Junior Sarah Riser, co-public relations chair for Mustang Foundation.

Kathy LaTour, the faculty advisor for Mustang Foundation and CCPA professor, said she thought it was wonderful to see the power of students when they decide to come together for the common good.The Mustang Foundation Trunk Show is open to the entire SMU community as well as the public. Admission is free.