CASA Cares 11th Annual Fashion Show Raises Funds for a Cause
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With a big help from their runway models, CASA Cares 11th Annual Fashion Show benefiting the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation shattered the $100 000 mark Thursday night.
CASA Cares is the non-profit arm of the Commerce and Administration Student Association at John Molson’s School of Business. Since the fashion gala’s inception over a decade ago, they had managed to raise more than $96 000. This year, they hit their target well before the show dubbed Come Away With Me even started.
“It’s my first year with CASA Cares and we wanted to innovate,” said Yujin Oh, VP Promotions. “We asked our models to each create a fundraiser page on the Montreal Children’s Foundation website.”
30 models of both genders strolled out on the runway at a packed Arena Nightclub. All were Concordia University students who went through two or three auditions to earn the chance to wear fine clothing and make a difference.
“We asked our models to explain on their pages their personal reasons for doing the show,” said Oh. “They then asked their friends and family to donate.”
Melissa Payette, President of the JMSB charity wing, said that the models’ online effort collected $9300.
“And that’s excluding bar sales and everything that’s happening tonight,” added Oh.
“In all, I can tell you we’ll be making a donation of over $20 000,” said Payette.
Before the gala, CASA Cares had hoped to raise $110 000 by the end of the year.
One of the models, Anamarina Ribeiro, a statuesque exchange student from Brazil, raised $140 on her fundraiser page as well as selling $25 admission tickets to 9 friends.
“It makes me feel good because it’s an awesome cause,” Ribeiro said. “All the models did an amazing job.”
They hit the catwalk wearing the spring and summer collections of several Canadian designers including Annie 50, Red Factory, Rififi, and New Regime among others. The swimwear collection was the highlight of the night.
The event was attended by adults of all ages. While ticket holders contributed to help the charity foundation, they also had the chance to win prizes. The organizers held a raffle during the runway show’s short intermission. Near the end, flowers were given to the male and female winners of Concordia’s Next Top Model. They sold the most tickets, raised the most for charity and enjoyed more popularity on Facebook.
Those who chose to stay enjoyed the Arena afterparty which most of the models attended.
Correction: In the original article, The Link stated that Dylan Ribkoff was on the list of designers. It also said that the crowd at the event chose the winners of Concordia’s Next Top Model. In fact, Dylan Ribkoff wasn’t one of the designers. And Concordia’s Next Top Model was chosen amongst those who sold the most tickets, raised the most money for charity as well as having the most likes on their Facebook photos. The Link regrets the error.
