The Rotary Club of National City will hold its inaugural runway summer fashion show at Casa Flores en Bonita on July 13. Proceeds from the event will support several club projects, including the JROTC, mariachi and marching band programs at Sweetwater High School, Ms. National City pageant, Maytime Band Review and the National City Police Department’s K9 unit.
Funds raised also will benefit the Thousand Smiles Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) California corporation dedicated to providing free maxillo-facial surgeries and dental work to underprivileged children in Mexico who suffer from facial deformities such as cleft lip and palate.
“The Rotary Club of National City is committed to engaging our community leaders with the programs that mean the most to our organization,” club president Karen McManus said. “We care about our youth, women, children, homeless and education.
“We came up with the idea as a fun way to have our community leaders walk the runway for our programs,” McManus continued. “We will have our program recipients join in on the fun from the National City Police Department officers who we team up with to raise funds for back to school supplies and our K9 program.
“All of our models are donating their time to charity and they are all very excited about this event.”
The show, set for an 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. time frame, will feature exclusive outfits by Glamour Girlz Boutique, Brenda’s Boutique, L &D Butik and The Elegant Man.
Models will be drawn from community leaders in a show of support for the community.
Joe Little of KNSD-TV Channel 7 will serve as emcee along with KCBQ radio host Brett Davis.
The show will feature of powerhouse of women community leaders modeling apparel, among them: Linda Rosas Townson, senior vice president of CommunityMedia (publisher of The Star News), Lynnette Tessitore, cultural arts manager for the city of Chula Vista, Linda Sierra, vice president of Toft group, Michelle Diaz Agha, COO International Communication of Kasdy, Nancy Maldonado, president/CEO of the Chicano Federation, Aira Bella Luna, owner Fab Glam by Aira, Luisa McCarthy, owner La Vista Memorial Park and Mortuary, Fanny Miller, publisher of El Latino, and Sweetwater High School principal Maribel Padilla Gavin.
Joining National City police officers on the runway will be National City manager Brad Raulston, Darrell Roberts from the Chula Vista Fire Department, Jay Stiles from the National City Fire Department, and Dr. Mathew Tessier, Chula Vista Elementary School District Assistant Superintendent for Innovation and Instruction.
Tessitore said that while she enjoys attending fashion shows, this will be the first time she has actually modeled in one.
“I’m excited, I think it’s a neat opportunity to help with philanthropy,” she said. “It’s a way for community leaders to be active in the community in a fun way.
“It’s definitely different. It’s out of my comfort zone but it’s a neat opportunity.”
Tessier expressed similar views about the upcoming event.
“While this engagement will be out of the ordinary for me and a bit out of my comfort zone, I am always willing to support our schools and students,” he said.
The fun day of fashion, art, music, raffles and lunch prepared by Stella’s Catering, will also include a hat contest. Tickets are $30, $55 for VIP and $350 for a VIP table. VIP tickets include complimentary mimosas, rooftop access and exclusive runway seating.
“The Rotary Club of National City is grateful to our community and business leaders for their participation in this event,” McManus said. “It is our desire to share with those who attend and participate the beauty and promise of our youth and to inspire them to give back to their community and ‘walk the runway’ for others.”
Sponsors include Novo Brazil, Mobil Gas (corner of 30th and Highland), DJ RudyB, National Latina Business Women Association San Diego, Angelo’s Towing, Embarcadero Brewery Company and El Tigre Catering Service.
A shuttle service will be provided.
Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite as follows:
www.eventbrite.come/e/1st-annual-rotary-runway-summer-fashion-show
