Fashion Show & Luncheon Raise $6,000+ for Brunswick Family Assistance

04/01/10

CALABASH, N.C. MARCH 30, 2010 -- A charity luncheon and fashion show was held Monday, March 29 at Sunset River Marketplace art gallery in Calabash, N.C. Sponsors for the event were Sunset River Marketplace, Victoria’s Ragpatch in Calabash and the Calabash Garden Tea Room. Net proceeds of $6,270 will go to Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA), a private nonprofit agency that provides a range of programs and financial assistance to low-income families in Brunswick County, N.C. 

Beautifully appointed luncheon tables were set up throughout the gallery to accommodate over 110 guests who donated $25 each to enjoy the gourmet luncheon, informal fashion show, door prizes and silent auction. Highlights of the auction included Personal Chef for Four with Kathy Cody, a week at a Wyndham Resorts timeshare donated by Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Blizzard, a three-diamond tier necklace designed especially for the event by Michael Abushakra of the Gold and Silver Connection in Calabash, and an acrylic painting by Kim Dawn Clayton, also created especially for the charity auction.

Staff from the Calabash Garden Tea Room served gourmet tea sandwiches, Smoked Turkey Waldorf in Filo Cups, Raspberry Mousse in Chocolate Cups and other delicious offerings from Kathy Cody, chef and co-owner of the Tea Room. During the lunch service, Roseanne Hardee Hodge of Victoria’s Ragpatch coordinated an informal fashion show of styles from the popular women’s clothing store.

Tuxedoed bartenders serving mimosas and juice to guests were Joe Lassiter of Icon Marketing and Sunset River, David Redwine of Coastal Insurance, Marvin Pethtal with Act One, and Buddy Russell of Electrical Works Inc.

BFA chair Wayne Hellmann and wife Joyce attended the luncheon. Mr. Hellmann addressed the group briefly, explaining the mission and community need for the assistance organization. Dr. Blizzard helped out by announcing winners of the door prizes and silent auction.

Local merchants that donated items for door prizes and the silent auction included Calabash Garden Tea Room, Yardbird Emporium, Victoria’s Ragpatch/Calabash, Papa’s Pizza, Wings & Things, Calabash Deli, Alley Oop Surf Shop, Boundary House Restaurant, Lori’s Golf Shoppe, Tony’s Pizza, Grapevine, Totally Chic, Calabash Photography,  Smashing Silver and Dr. & Mrs.  Daniel Blizzard.

The artists who donated work for the silent auction were Sharon Dodge, Jill Hope and Judy Rickenbacker of Kaboo Jewelry, Sue Marion, Ramona Batsford Bendin, Susan Dade, Betsy Russell of B. Russell Design, Phyllis Green, Lou Aliotta, Elaine Bigelow, Beth Pethtal, Kim Dawn Clayton, Shauna McGoldrick, Marty Scheffler, James “Red” Saunders, Scott Summerfield and Michael Abushakra of the Gold and Silver Connection, Smashing Silver, Jane Staszak, Ed Fitzgerald, Jeffcoat Pottery and Linda Simmons

Also introduced during the event was Studio 12 Montage, a four- by seven-foot painting donated by Studio 12, a group of artists who meet weekly to paint at Sunset River Marketplace. The artists include Babs Ludwick, Nancy Wickstrom, Marsha Thomas, Bryan Krpejs, Shauna McGoldrick, Liz Roberts, Sally Nolan, Mary Griffith and Roberta Pinson. The painting will remain on view at the gallery through April 30 for bidding. One hundred percent of the proceeds of the painting will go to Brunswick Family Assistance.

 For more information or to make a donation, contact gallery owner Ginny Lassiter at 910-575-5999. Sunset River Marketplace is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW in Calabash, N.C. Visit the website at www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com.