This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
There are few things more noticeable walking through downtown State College than a group of women wearing curly red wigs, oversized sunglasses and brightly colored caftans.
That, according to Amy Bowser, is exactly the point.
The Mrs. Roper Romp returns for its third year on June 27 as dozens of participants dressed like the iconic 1970s/1980s sitcom character from “Three’s Company” once again take to downtown State College. The event is not simply for laughs, but to raise awareness and support for Out of the Cold, a nonprofit organization helping individuals experiencing homelessness in Centre County.
“Women walking around with red wigs on their head makes people look,” said Bowser, an Out of the Cold board member and organizer of the event. “If they ask questions as to what we’re doing, then it gives me an opportunity to talk about Out of the Cold.”
The event, which began as a playful gathering inspired by the recent nationwide popularity of Mrs. Roper-themed bar crawls, has evolved into something larger.
“Really, I did this for fun, but it was such a success the first year that I wanted to continue it,” Bowser said.
Participants will gather at Doggie’s Pub at 2 p.m. before traveling together through downtown stops including Chumley’s, Pickles and Champs before returning to Doggie’s at 6 p.m. for raffle drawings. There is no participation fee and attendees do not need to dress up to join.
Along the route, participants will carry donation banks, sell raffle tickets and speak with curious onlookers about Out of the Cold’s work.
“So basically the Helens, the Mrs. Ropers, are getting together and doing this bar crawl just for visibility for people to know more about Out of the Cold, to come and hear more about it and just have a good time and support a really good community nonprofit,” Bowser said.
The organization provides emergency shelter and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness while helping them transition toward stable housing.
Bowser said many people misunderstand who uses those services.
“I think that’s really important that people don’t understand,” Bowser said. “The majority of the people at the shelter have come there and gotten jobs and have started working. They just can’t necessarily find housing fast enough to support themselves right away.”
Out of the Cold helps individuals secure transitional housing, apply for jobs, search for apartments and connect with resources while working with case managers.
“We’re that supporting structure for them to get on their feet again as they’re attaining an income and using that income wisely,” Bowser said. “It’s very, very beneficial.”
Bowser said the event also provides visibility for both downtown businesses and the organization itself during a slower season in State College.
“With the students being gone, it kind of gives us a chance to go do something and support those businesses that don’t have the same type of busyness during the summer months,” she said.
Last year’s event drew attention from both residents and visitors, with Bowser recalling students stopping to take pictures with participants through restaurant windows.
She hopes this year’s event rebuilds participation numbers while expanding awareness.
“A lot of people don’t know where the shelter is,” Bowser said. “It allows us to even just point them in the right direction so they know where it’s at.”
The group is also expanding its presence beyond the romp itself, with participants planning to walk in State College’s Pride festivities later this summer.
For Bowser, the goal extends beyond costumes and nostalgia.
“Just that they came together as a group to support people who are vulnerable and did something that was a little bit bigger than themselves and a little bit bigger than our group of curly red wigs,” she said.
And for anyone wondering whether they need the wig, sunglasses or flowing caftan to participate?
“Anybody can come,” Bowser said. “You don’t have to be dressed up to participate.”
For more information about Mrs. Roper Romp, check out the State College Mrs. Roper Romp Facebook group. For more information about Out of the Cold, including volunteer opportunities, services and ways to donate, go to outofthecoldcc.org.
