WE CARE fashion show raises money for charity
Lawyers and judges are not exactly known for their fashion statements, but at a recent Dressed to a Tea event, they were the stars of the runway.
The Oscar-themed event was hosted by the WE CARE Fund of the Nassau County Bar Association and the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association, and raised money for several local charities. The night was a great way for members of the Nassau County legal community to relax and enjoy a fun evening with their colleagues at the Bar Association building in Mineola.
Karen Dowd came out to support the Woman’s Bar Association and see friends.
“This is a really great fundraiser for a lot of really worthy charities. WE CARE helps a lot of people on Long Island, especially in this difficult time when people are still recovering from Sandy,” she said. “It’s also nice to see a lot of the members we don’t usually see all the time.”
Patricia Harold, a member of the Nassau County Bar Association, has come to the fashion show for several years.
“This is not only a good networking event, but it’s also fun to watch the models, some of whom I know,” Harold said.
The models consisted of court officers, court reporters, retired judges, court clerks and members of the Woman’s and Nassau County Bar Association. Lord and Taylor donated clothes and accessories, and models walked the runway wearing the latest spring fashions. Models and guests also got their makeup done by artists from Bobbi Brown. In addition, a clothing drive was held where attendees donated old clothes to charities.
The WE CARE fund has funded more than 50 community-based organizations such as food banks, Make a Wish and Bethany House. This year’s fashion show raised money and collected clothes for Bethany House, the Eastern Farm Workers, the Education and Assistance Corporation, the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN), Momma’s House, and for the first time, the LI Volunteer Center Prom Boutique Project, which is collecting prom dresses and tuxes for students who might not otherwise be able to afford it,
“Because of all your contributions, we’re able to help those who have not been able to help themselves,” Cynthia Sucich, Director of Communications at the INN, said.
Adrienne Hausch is the co-founder of We Care and says the event allows those in the Nassau County legal community a way to take an active role in helping those in need.
“We wanted to give something back to the community in a more direct way than just pro bono law services,” Hausch says.
The fashion show first started out as a little tea, where members of the Nassau County Bar Association and Woman’s Bar would get together to raise money for charities. Then, they added a fashion show and changed it from a tea to a light supper, and now it’s a full-blown, annual event
“Ever year it’s wonderful. It’s like Christmas. It just gets better and better,” Hausch said.
