“Tell me that plus-size women are not beautiful,” dared a woman who announced the fashions of Cisco, a Jersey City-based designer. Cisco’s fashions come in a wide range of styles and sizes, from size five to size 30.
“These fashions that not only make the women look well, but also gives a feeling of self-confidence,” continued the commentator, as three models dressed in bright colors and oversized feathered hats entered the runway.
North Hudson Community Action Corporation’s first Stars and Style fashion benefit, complete with music, fashion and celebrities including the rock group Kool & the Gang, was held a week ago Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Diamond Court of the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel and Conference Center in East Rutherford.
“[North Hudson Community Action Corporation] serves more than 46,000 clients annually and receives more than 98,000 patient visits,” said NHCAC’s President and CEO Michael Leggiero to the crowd that gathered to watch the show. “There is still a lot more we need to do here and that job will be completed with your help.”
NHCAC provides a bevy of health services to residents of West New York, Union City, Secaucus, Weehawken, Guttenberg and North Bergen.
The event raised more than $22,000 and the amount is still rising.
“The event was a tremendous success for the first time out,” said Leggiero. “Next year we hope to double the attendance. All you need is one successful event to get the word out there.”
The event cost $100 a person to attend and corporate tables were available by request. A 50/50 raffle and a live auction also raised money.
The event included a buffet donated by the Sheraton and all beverages by Canandaigua.
“Everything was donated,” said Leggiero, adding that all of the entertainment, fashions, prizes and even the location were donated.
However, the real highlight was a special performance by Jersey City natives Kool & the Gang, who sang their hit single “Celebration.” That performance followed a short dedication to their relative Michele Thomas, who starred in Family Matters and The Cosby Show and who died on Christmas Eve in 1998. Her mother, Phyn Juar, gave the dedication.
Thomas went to grammar school in Union City and Middle School in Hoboken.
“She is part of North Jersey,” said Juar. “I know she would be here if she was alive.”
That’s entertainment
Aside from the plus-sized women who made their way down the runway at the event, there were also women dressed as brides and bridesmaids. Elegant Bridal Productions sponsored a fashion show featuring fashions by famous designers such as Vera Wang, Bob Mackie and Prisilla of Boston. However, no event is complete without music.
The show began with a beautiful rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You, sung by one of the entertainers of Best Of Both Worlds Entertainment, an entertainment company that specializes in corporate parties.
The entertainers from Best of Both Worlds encouraged the crowd’s participation with their rendition of disco classics such as Donna Summers’ Last Dance and Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive, and another women’s anthem, Respect, by Aretha Franklin.
VT Entertainment provided entertainment from their band FATE, who featured Vinnie Talarico. Talarico has opened for comedy acts such as Jerry Seinfeld and is the official National Anthem singer for the Jets football team.
Prizes, prizes, prizes
Taking advantage of HBO’s current success stories, The Sopranos and Sex In The City, and the recent Subway Series may be one sure way of raising money for any charity.
The event included a live auction with prizes such as framed and autographed posters of The Sopranos cast, which sold for $400, and Sex In The City star Sarah Jessica Parker, which sold for $300. An autographed version of the Baseball 3000 Hit club poster, featuring many of the great Mets and Yankees players of all time, was sold for $600.
Two TWA tickets to anywhere in the world were also part of the auction and sold for $1,200.
Money spent
The money raised at this event will go towards NHCAC’s Thanksgiving and Christmas events for the community.
“We want to make things pleasant for as many people as we can,” said Leggiero.
For Thanksgiving, NHCAC gives food vouchers to needy families who are already a part of the corporation. The corporation’s care counselors and employees recommend the most needy families that are being served by the corporation to receive the vouchers for the holiday.
“Many of the poor families are often left out,” said Leggiero. “Those are the people we serve. We need to reach out to them and help them as well.”
The corporation’s Christmas Toy Drive accepts wrapped gifts for needy children.
“We gave gifts to close to 1,000 kids last year,” said Leggiero.