Nearly $650 was raised for eight worthy charities during Hope Full Life Center’s Trash to Treasure Fashion Show held Saturday, April 18. The models selected clothing and accessories from Gracefully Chic Boutique, our gently-used clothing program, for use in the show. In addition to strutting his/her stuff on our runway, the models were asked to introduce his/her charity to the audience by making a brief presentation.
The models and the charities they represented were:
Molly Engelhardt, Polished Girlz, whose volunteers provide manicures to hospitalized girls.
Anna Flach, Justice for Orphans, which encourages families to support foster care and adoption efforts.
Julia Meyer, Sak Saum, a charity with local roots that brings dignity to women rescued from the streets in Cambodia.
Jena and her son, Cole, Misuraca, Whiskers Animal Benevolent League, which cares for unwanted cats in the Capital Region.
Rebecca Shook, Special Olympics, which empowers people with disabilities.
Mizzella Stanley, The Community Hospice, which cares for the terminally ill and their families.
Daleigh Suggs, Autism Connection of Greene County, a resource for children with spectrum disorder and their families.
Doveesha Suggs, The Matthew Project, a community service of Grace Covenant Church in Ravena that brings lunch to hundreds of kids throughout the area during the summer.
RCS pre-k teacher Bridget Engelhardt emceed the fashion show. Coeymans Town Supervisor Steve Flach, Ravena Mayor Bill Misuraca, Ravena News Herald reporter Marlene McTigue and RCS special education teacher Kelly Racey all served as judges and selected winners for most original wardrobe (Molly Engelhardt), most complex construction (Mizzella Stanley), best walk (Rebecca Shook) and best charity presentation (Cole Misuraca).
In addition to the judging, the audience got a chance to vote with dollars for their favorite models and his/her causes during a reception. The model with the most money was named “Best Dressed.” Julia Meyer walked away with the title.
The day ended on a high note as all the models were crowned and given goody bags to thank them for their participation.
We are grateful to Abounding Love Christian Fellowship who allowed us to use their church for the show. Thank you to all models, judges and community members who played a role in making this first-time event a success.
