More popular than ever: St. Vincent’s fashion show breaks its record for fundraising
By KATHERINE ZEHNDER |
NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT |
St. Vincent’s, a Santa Barbara nonprofit, has hosted the most successful fashion show in its history. Proceeds from Saturday’s show and luncheon go to St. Vincent’s Family Strengthening Program, which provides housing, childcare and job search assistance to mothers and their children.
The event usually raises more than $30,000. This year’s fashion show, which was packed with 250 guests, easily surpassed that number with over $53,800. This is the most that the fundraiser has raised during its 12-year history, Dr. Regina Ruiz, vice president of development and marketing for St. Vincent’s, told the News-Press afterward.
“We made a lot of new friends and supporters today. Those are relationships that will hopefully last for years to come.”
Dr. Regina Ruiz, vice president of development and marketing for St. Vincent’s
“It was fantastic. All the silent auction baskets sold,” Dr. Ruiz said. “There was so much inspiration and love in the room. The energy in the room was amazing.” There were many new guests and people learning about St. Vincent’s for the first time at the event, which featured guest speaker Rosalinda Reyes, a program alumna who is now a property manager for People’s Self-Help Housing.
Ms. Reyes’ keynote address proved popular with her audience, who interrupted her several times with applause. One of the event’s most popular aspects was added this year: a children’s portion of the fashion show, sponsored by Lemondrop, a Montecito store that sells clothes, shoes and gifts for kids ages 8-14. The models included Ms. Reyes’ 7- and 9-year old daughters, who were part of a successful day for St. Vincent’s and its efforts for families. “We made a lot of new friends and supporters today,” Dr. Ruiz told the News-Press. “Those are relationships that will hopefully last for years to come.”
email: kzehnder@newspress.com