Fashion for a Cause raises more than $300K for community health programs

Hospice of the Chesapeake's annual Fashion for a Cause event drew a sold-out crowd ready to celebrate community, style and families who depend on the nonprofit's services. When the night was over, more than $300,000 had been raised for community health programs.

The event, held June 4 at the Fluegel Alumni Center, Annapolis, Maryland, is one of the area’s most anticipated evenings. Guests were treated to a red-carpet experience complete with bites from local restaurants, food trucks and a moving celebration of compassion and community care.

For the fifth consecutive year, WBAL NewsRadio's Bryan Nehman, cohost of C4 and Bryan Nehman, served as emcee, keeping the evening moving with warmth and wit. The milestone didn't go unnoticed. Hospice of the Chesapeake marked the occasion by inducting Nehman into its "five-timers' club," presenting him with a branded jacket and commemorative pin. The moment took on deeper meaning when event committee member April Boera — whose late husband was Nehman's college roommate — helped him into the jacket.

The highlight of the evening was a runway show featuring dozens of looks from 15 Annapolis-area retailers and designers. Returning to the runway for a second year were the high-fashion styles of Craig Coates Couture, whose designs have been featured at both New York and Los Angeles Fashion Week.

Professional models were joined by community members who took the stage with purpose and flair, showcasing everything from casual coastal wear to elegant evening attire.

Women’s fashions were modeled by Jaedyn Archinard, Heather Atcherson, Flora Bartek, April Boera, Ashley Calo, Cintia Castaneda, Jacqueline Coche, Megan Cooper, Liz Gillette, Terri Hussman, Alice Lao, Cierra Ploof, Challie Samaras, Caroline Shoults, Dana Smith, Rose Walker and Amy Wise.

Men’s fashions were modeled by: Mike Baldwin, Jeremiah Batucan, Doug Beaver, Brian Berger, Joseph Calo, Aaron Gaskins, John Hussman, Craig Johnson, Mike Mayfield, Jarret Simpson, Alex Strachan and Patrick Wergin.

Fashion for a Cause was made possible at the Haute Couture level by John & Cathy Belcher and the Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation.

Additional support was provided by:

Red Carpet Sponsors: Genesis of Annapolis and MHE Foundation

Fashionista Sponsors: Gene Deems: Helping Chesapeake Kids turn sorrow into strength; Collet Guerard; The Hussman Foundation; Shirley Ip; Russ Jones; Merrill Lynch – Murray, McGehrin & Shiery; The Michael Stanley Foundation; Nancy Smit & Julien Hecht; and Laura Westervelt

Supermodel Sponsors: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects; Dr. Maria Colucciello; The Davies Family Foundation; First Citizens Bank; and Sullivan Surgery & Spa

Celebrity Sponsors: Vanessa Aburn, Annapolitan Investment Group; Mike & Gina Baldwin; Georgie Clark; Curio Wealth; Engrained Design Works; M&T Bank; Patient First; Speight Cook Studio; and Temple Annapolis, Paul Mitchell Partner School.

The organization also thanks its event underwriters, including Bar Sponsor Georgie Clark and Entertainment Sponsor The Jennifer Wells & Taylor Wells Family Trust.

Proceeds from the event directly benefit the organization’s comprehensive community care offerings, with special emphasis on grief support services that ensure no child or family has to walk the journey of serious illness or loss alone.

For photos, visit hospicechesapeake.org/ffac/#gallery

About Hospice of the Chesapeake

Hospice of the Chesapeake provides expert, compassionate care for individuals and families navigating serious advanced illness and loss. Care is built around a genuine partnership between skilled clinicians, healthcare partners and the patients and families we serve — centered on supporting quality of life at every stage.

For more than 45 years, we have had the privilege of caring for more than 65,000 patients and more than 100,000 family members across the communities we serve.

Hospice of the Chesapeake is proud to be a part of Chesapeake Health Partners, an organization focused on strengthening community-based care and support services across the region.