Erin Joi, Katie Ketcham, Tracy Betak and Ashley Shelton.
With glittering displays of spring fashion trends and accessories, the ballroom of the Belle Haven Country Club was transformed into a fashion-lover’s dream during the Campagna Center’s 13th annual Toast to Fashion on Thursday, March 22.
2012 Toast to Fashion Award Honorees
The Golden Halo Award, which recognizes a member of the Campagna Center who has demonstrated a selfless commitment to fundraising. Honoree: Allison Priebe Brooks, owner of the Alexandria jewelry-design firm Queen Bee Designs.
The Barbara Pratt Lee Heart of Gold Award, which recognizes a member of The Campagna Center who has demonstrated leadership and personal dedication to the advancement of the center’s mission. Winner: Nicole Duncan, catering and special events director of the Belle Haven Country Club.
The Anne Culbert Legacy of Service Award, which recognizes a member of the community who has supported the center through a sustained legacy of dedication, spirit and influence: Carrie Owens Garland.
The Unsung Hero Award, created to honor those who have given their time and expertise as a Junior Friends volunteer. The first Unsung Hero Award was presented posthumously to Elizabeth Pignatello, 39, who died in August 2011, in a small aircraft accident. Her mother, Enid Robinson, and her daughter, Bella Pignatello, accepted the award in her honor.
The Toast to Fashion, the Campagna Center’s premier fundraiser, combines a fashion show, marketplace, raffle, and reception with all proceeds supporting the center’s childhood-development programs. Guests got a peek at some of the hottest spring trends (think pink and rainbow-brights) from local boutiques, including Haute Papier, Queen Bee Designs, Skinfinity and The Dressed Up Nut.
“We had well over 200 guests and great participation from numerous local business establishments,” said Tammy Mann, president and CEO of the Campagna Center. “The Toast to Fashion provides an opportunity for the community to learn about programs of the center, and the volunteers we rely on to help raise funds for our work.”
The Campagna Center, which has been serving children in Alexandria since 1945, operates a range of childhood-development programs, including Early Head Start, Afternoon Adventures and Summer Safari, as well as adult and family literacy programs. Each year, the center’s teachers, staff and volunteers help more than 1,700 children and families.
“Every bit helps us close the gaps we have to fund these much-needed services. Just this week we had hundreds of parents show up to register their child for a space in Head Start this coming fall,” Mann said.
The event was hosted by the Junior Friends of the Campagna Center, and featured a fashion show emceed by ABC7 Sports reporter Britt McHenry. Laura Hartman and Jeannine Hyde co-chaired the event.
“This is not only a fun event, but a special event, because everyone here is helping make the future a little brighter for the children and families served by The Campagna Center,” said Kate Michael, former Miss D.C. and president of K Street Kate, an online lifestyle magazine and talk show.
For more information on The Campagna Center’s programs, go to www.campagnacenter.org.