Celebrity Holiday Fashion Show raises money, awareness

 

(Photo:marieprom.co.uk)The Arc of Livingston’s yearly Celebrity Holiday Fashion Show will return to Crystal Gardens in Genoa Township on Thursday.

At the 21st annual fundraising gala, celebrities and children with disabilities will model apparel as they walk down a fashion runway. Dinner, silent auctions and a jewelry raffle are also part of the event. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

“This event raises almost half of our budget for the entire year,” said Patti Nowak, executive director of the Arc. “The community has continued to raise the bar to support our organization. It’s just phenomenal. We want to support the children as much as we can, and this event is a great way to do just that.”

The Arc, a nonprofit organization, serves people with developmental disabilities and is a Livingston County United Way member agency. All proceeds from the gala will benefit the Arc.

Beverly Rae’s Boutique, The Clothing Cove, Tailoring Unlimited and Brighton Tux Shop are the four clothing stores that donate their attire for the models to wear for a night.

The clothes won’t be for sale, Nowak said, but it “is a nice way to promote local businesses.

To mix things up, each year different celebrities are introduced at the gala. Nowak said some of the celebrities this year will range from Detroit sports and media personalities to Livingston County business and civic leaders.

A Detroit-based teen pop group, By The Way, will perform as the opening act of the event.

“This is a new addition this year and something we are looking forward to a lot,” Nowak said. “We always want to support and encourage local talent.”

The funds from the gala also go toward a scholarship program the Arc provides for disabled children to select a camp experience in Livingston County, or the surrounding area.

“Nothing quite like kids going to camp and feeling included like everyone else to have the same opportunities as everyone,” Nowak said. “It’s such a wonderful and inspiring event solely for the children to help support them.”

Community effort is the phrase that comes to Nowak’s mind when she thinks about the work put into the event.

“We have a hardworking committee who has been working the past year to see who is available and … connecting with the community to reach out to celebrities,” Nowak said. “It’s a really powerful thing I’m grateful for because a lot of the celebrities are so busy and trying to work around their schedule can get difficult.”Read more at:marieprom.co.uk Prom Dresses