Role models
Fashion show benefits Casa Angelica
An annual rite of spring is upon us. The Casa Angelica Luncheon and Fashion Show, now marking its 40th anniversary, will be held Saturday, April 29, at the Sandia Resort and Casino Ballroom.
The event will give an opportunity to see what fashions the well-dressed woman, man and child will be wearing in the coming seasons.
The show is organized by the nonprofit Casa Angelica Auxiliary to benefit Casa Angelica. Founded in 1967, Casa Angelica is a home in the South Valley for medically fragile and profoundly disabled children and young adults.
It is owned and administered by the Canossian Daughters of Charity and operated by a professional licensed staff with support from volunteers. The Canossian Sisters will celebrate their Golden Jubilee with an Open House this summer and a Benefit Dinner on Sept. 8 at Sandia Resort.
The Auxiliary fashion show is the largest of several regular fund raising events that have enabled the group to donate between $50,000 and $90,000 annually to Casa Angelica in recent years, said Auxiliary President Fran Phipps.
All of the money that the Auxiliary raises goes directly to benefit the children and young adults to include the purchase of the following: beds, dressers, bath tubs, shower trolleys, pool lift, pool cover, lifts and two large vans. The money raised this year will be used to complete a remodeling project, said fashion show co-chair Paula Schoeneman.
Around 700 guests have attended the fashion show luncheon in prior years. Phipps said they are hoping to boost that number to 800 this year.
As in previous years, KRQE TV Chief Meteorologist Mark Ronchetti will be the emcee and Dillard’s will provide the models and the fashions they will be showcasing. In addition to the latest outfits, a special feature of this 40th anniversary show will be a parade of retro fashions from previous decades.
Dillard’s will also have a “boutique” in a smaller room where guests can buy items that catch their eye on the runway.
Before the luncheon, there will be a silent auction with hundreds of items, many of which have been donated by artists participating in the Rio Grande Arts and Crafts shows held three times a year in Albuquerque.
Schoeneman explained that the Auxiliary partners with the arts and crafts show, providing volunteers who sit in the booths to give the artists a break. In turn, the artists donate some of their work to the silent auction. Other new and gently used items have been donated by local businesses or members of the public.
Guests will be able to buy raffle tickets for “Instant Win” prizes. There will be a separate raffle for a chance at prizes like tickets for Southwest Airlines or a weekend getaway at a major hotel. The top prize will be a piece of artwork specially made by local artist Andrew Rodriguez.