Since 1931, York Furrier has partnered with a myriad of philanthropic organizations in support of their worthwhile causes. From attendance at fashion shows and grand galas, to donations for raffles or live auctions, we believe that supporting the community we serve (St. Charles to Chicago, Lake Geneva to Joliet, Elmhurst, Deer Park, and across Illinois and the entire U.S.A!) is always in STYLE! This spring has been especially busy with fashion show and events throughout Chicagoland!
Take a look at some of this season’s highlights.
On March 5
th at Navy Pier in Chicago, the Grand Ballroom was filled to capacity in support of the
Presence Health Foundation’s “Heroes Among Us” Ball. The ultra-glamorous event raised more than $1.1 million for the organization’s 11 hospitals (Elgin, Evanston, Aurora, Chicago, etc.), 27 long-term care and senior living facilities, and over 150 out-patient facilities located throughout Illinois. York Furrier provided a hooded sheared beaver walking coat for the Super Silent Auction. And, we were thrilled to enjoy the company of former Chicago Bears football heroes, defensive end, Israel Idonije, and from the 1985 Super Bowl winning team, defensive tackle, Dan Hampton. “Thanks!” Lauren Rubinson-Morris from Chicagoland’s MedEx Ambulance Service for your event sponsorship and hosting such a fun table. ___________________________________________________________________
Photo Credit: Anthony On Saturday, April 16
th,
Presence St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin held its annual fashion show fundraiser at the Stonegate Banquets Conference Center in Hoffman Estates. The theme was “Under the Rainbow” and featured a selection of York Furrier’s colorful furs worn by organizational models. NBC anchor, Allison Rosati, emceed the event and Lee Ann Marie Productions produced the runway show. The event proceeds helped to create and continue services and programs for exceptional healthcare close to home for residents of the Fox River Valley region. Models included Regional Clinical Operations Director Roxann Barber in a Dominic Bellissimo designed rainbow fox trimmed shearling jacket, Director of Emergency Services Rhonda Hammer in an Empress Purple chinchilla walking coat, Interim Manager of House Supervisors and Float Pool Jamie Ciganek in a Malan Breton designed teal sheared mink coat with chinchilla trim. Plus, Regional Director of Physician Services Shelley Remsen wore a York Signature Style arctic white sheared & grooved beaver walking coat with fox trim.
And perhaps our favorite two models of the afternoon were 8 year old Grace and her 5 year old sister Natalie wearing onyx fur parkas with a red infinity fur scarf and carrying mink coat clad Barbie Dolls. So cute! ___________________________________________________________________
Photo credit: Bruce Aquirre On April 22
nd, the
Italian American Executives of Transportation (IAET) hosted a festive event at the Alta Villa Banquets in Addison to benefit the
Make-A-Wish IL Foundation. The event was chaired by Christina Aguirre, and Janet Davies served as Guest Host. For the silent auction, York Furrier donated a colorful knit fur scarf. On the runway, selections from the York Furrier 84
th Anniversary Collection were worn by ZZAZZ Production models and gals from the organization including: Ashley White, the Senior Gift Officer from Make-A-Wish IL in a Norman Ambrose designed brocade evening coat with Russian sable trim; Maggie Glimco in a York Signature Style lipstick red sheared mink; Marie Panico in a lilac Loro Piana cashmere cape with fox trim; and Alexandra Karaskiewicz in a moonlight blue mink & fox jacket. ___________________________________________________________________
The
Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) held its annual “Spotlight on Barrington Stars” fashion show at the Chicago Marriott Northwest in Hoffman Estates on Wednesday, April 25th. The luncheon fashion show also featured a silent auction ( York Furrier donated a leather backpack) and presented scholarships to Barrington area high school seniors. Walking the runway in York Furrier’s fur and fine outerwear selections were: Advertising Account Executive for Quintessential Barrington Magazine Steve Cook looking dapper in a sueded leather jacket with a chenille scarf; Marketing Director for On Point Accounting Solutions Kelly Krodys looking absolutely gorgeous in a white leather zip jacket with our new floral silk scarf; and Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics Lisa Raupp skillfully modeling a York Signature Style sheared fur walking coat that also reverses to a blouson style rain coat. ___________________________________________________________________
Photo credit: Michael Kullum Photography
The evening of April 27th at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, the Women’s Division of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a “50 & Fabulous” themed scholarship benefit dinner fashion show. Greetings were provided by Jo Ann Serpico, Executive Director of JCCCIA, Rose Mary Ranallo, the President of the Women’s Division, and Carmela Capriati, the fashion show chairperson. ZZAZZ Productions produced the runway show to PERFECTION featuring a small sampling of the York Furrier 84th Anniversary Collection: Italian lamb leather jackets, a Dominic Bellissimo designed cashmere cape with fox trim and embellished beading, and with a nod to the golden anniversary, a Michael Kors designed cross fox shrug accessorized with leather opera gloves and a Swarovski crystal clutch. ___________________________________________________________________
Photo Credit: Tingyu Huang Amity School Children’s Aid Foundation held its luncheon fashion show fundraiser at Oak Park Country Club on Tuesday, May 10th. The runway presentation included: York Furrier, Sugar Cup Trading, Jayne, Sanem, Manouche, Heshima Kenya and The School of the Art Institute student designers – Kayla Alexander, Elizabeth Nugent, Mackenzie Cuong Ton, Cole Durkee, Jamie Lang and Danielle Grouse – with their innovative fur designs. We also loved the segment “Transform the LBD – Little Black Dress – with Accessories!” featuring stylist Suze Solari and the spring floral silk scarf York Furrier donated to the silent auction. A special “Thank You!” to Elmhurst neighbor, Cottage Hill Diamonds for their help with the special raffle shopping spree (and “Kudos!” to Colin Hill for escorting member Annie Doppes on the runway). Before the runway presentation, this year’s Amity Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Lisa Lewis, was introduced by the 2012 winner, York’s own, Kathy Rezny, who also served as the fashion show commentator. Worth a mention, other spring philanthropic events that featured York Furrier include: Oak Park’s Fenwick H.S. fashion show, West Suburban Symphony Orchestra’s evening fund raiser in Burr Ridge, and the annual Medinah Shriner’s ladies luncheon fashion show fund raiser held in Oak Brook. For more information on York Furrier’s community fund raisers and special events, Visit www.YorkFur.com/special-events page, Like us on Facebook or Follow us on twitter!
