Amity School Children’s Aid Annual Fashion Show FUNdraiser was a “Runway Success!”
Amity School Children’s Aid, an Oak Park / River Forest based philanthropic organization, hosted their annual luncheon fashion show fund raiser on Tuesday, May 14th at the beautiful Oak Park Country Club. 150 guests started their afternoon with cocktails, boutique shopping and bidding on an array of silent auction items before being called into the sunlit main dining room for a seated lunch service prepared by Chef Tim Edstrom. Amity President, Myra Price, warmly greeted guests and shared a brief background about Amity’s mission. Founded in 1925, the organization is dedicated to helping local public school children obtain needed eyeglasses, hearing aids, winter coats, shoes, and other necessities. The all-volunteer board, currently, Jane Filek, Ruth Kreyer, Chris Majkrzak, Pierry Murphy, Kirsten Phillips, and Iris Saavedra, works with school social workers and administration staff to confidentially provide support. 100% of funds raised at this event will directly benefit the children in need!
After lunch, local child advocate, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mary Jo Schuler was presented with Amity’s Outstanding Citizen Award. Schuler holds a Ph. D. in Higher Education Administration. She has worked in student affairs at public and private universities, served as a Community Development Coordinator, and a Mobilizer of Volunteer Effort. In 1999, she collaborated with her husband, Stephen, to launch GETCO, a trading technology firm that served financial markets across the globe. She has also operated Marion Street Cheese Market and Greenline Wheels, remodeled a Queen Anne Victorian home, and in 2006, founded the Good Heart, Work Smart Foundation which focuses on sustaining low cost/no cost youth engagement opportunities in the Oak Park / River Forest communities. A successful paddle raise followed with guests generously making contributions ranging from $100 to $5000.
The excitement in the room continued as DJ Scott Detrick from Sound Differential turned up the music volume and Kathy Rezny from York Furrier took over the microphone to provide commentary for the spring fashion extravaganza. Featuring a mix of organizational and professional models, local boutiques and designers – 16 Suitcases, York Furrier, Inc., Two Story Farmhouse, Sanem’s, ReMix Student Designer – Danielle Grouse, and Chicago designer, Borris Powell, showcased current trends and styles. “Thank You!” organizational models Kristin Collins, Annie Doppes, Geraldine Healy, Ann Kreiter, Kate Novelli, Myra Price, Kimberly Rachel, Renee Raines, Greta Rupeika, and Trish Ryan; along with professional models Tanya Hill, Elizabeth McNally, Eliana Mockler, Jen Hoeft, Caroline Foreman, and Kristen Frederick; as well as model coordinator, Lisa Lewis for helping to make this year’s event the best ever . . . raising a record $30,000 plus for Amity School Children’s Aid.
Check-out the York Furrier Facebook Page to view fashions from the runway presentation. And visit YorkFur.com Event Page to view the Oak Park’s Wednesday Journal coverage and more photos by: Xuanchen Li, Michelle Elfvin, and Megan Pauley from the fabulous FUNdraiser for Amity School Children’s Aid.