by Bea Peterson
Like all the nearby communities, Hoosick and Hoosick Falls residents and businesses are extremely generous. Almost every week or every other week there is one fund raiser or another. And people respond! Most fund raisers are annual events run by the same folks year after year. Pink Fashion Rocks had a different twist. It was run completely by young folks in their late teens and early twenties. They are to be congratulated. They should be congratulated first for continuing the strong community ethic of giving back and secondly for pulling off a successful event.
[private]The emphasis was on breast cancer awareness and the Karen McGovern Fund. Karen’s life was cut short by cancer. Organizer Ashley Costantino has experienced the trauma of breast cancer in her family. Her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are breast cancer survivors. She and her friends put the two together for Pink Fashion Rocks.
The event was held at St. Mary’s Academy on Saturday, July 28. Attendees received pink tote bags, pens and a brochure on Women and Breast Health, all compliments of Samaritan Hospital Women’s Health Center and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Northeastern New York. An attractive brochure listed all the donors, sponsors, prizes and workers. Activities began with a spaghetti dinner and dessert.
Fashions for the show came from Ruby Sparks, Pick Your Own, Amy’s Cottage, New 2 You and Camelot Village. It was fun to watch the models become more relaxed showing off the fashions as the evening progressed. The models were Ana Anderson, Sam Bakaitis, Stephany Bradley, Ashley Costantino, Emily Everard, Madeline Gilson, Kelly Greco, Shannon Limoges, Allison Phipott and Amelia Reynolds. Masters of ceremony for the evening were Logan Brogue and Patrick Matula. Lighting and music was done by Nick Downing and Josh Harrison. Other volunteers and assistants were Wendy Costantino, Johnnie Costantino, Jeannie Costantino, Debbie Anderson and Rachael Lewsey.
There was a 50/50 raffle, a Chinese Auction of 16 items and a half dozen Silent Auction items. The event raised $2,500 for the Karen McGovern Fund. The Fund offers community members some financial support as they struggle with life threatening illnesses. That support could cover an overdue utility bill, fuel assistance, prescription assistance and more.
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