Snazzy and Jazzy Holiday Tea features fashion show to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House

The Snazzy & Jazzy Holiday Tea on Dec. 5 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham serves as a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit.

Fox 2 Health Reporter Deena Centofani will serve as Master of Ceremonies. International jazz recording artist Kimmie Horne and others will model styles for women and men from young adults to seniors. New this year to the 8th annual event is the jazz duo Mike and Mike, with violinist Michael Saxon and Michael Evans on the keyboard.

“Yearly this event has raised significant funds to help the children and families we serve,” said Jennifer Litomisky, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit. “The beautiful Townsend Hotel provides a warm, inviting holiday spirit. The attendees not only get a delicious tea service but have the chance to bid on silent auction items and do a little holiday shopping - all while supporting the House and our expansion campaign.”

Co-chairs are Treva Beckius, of Grosse Pointe, and Charlene Mitchell, of West Bloomfield. Both women are board members of the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit.

Of the fashion show, Mitchell noted, “Trends in leather are for clothing that can be worn as part of an outfit. Lightweight jackets and other leather items can be worn casually when getting together with friends or more formally for a special event. Some leathers feature fringe and appliques. We will show leather in traditional colors as well as the trendy colors of navy blue and black.”

Fur trends include shearling, and knitted and sheared mink. Ponchos and capes made of fur and/or leather with a side closure will also be modeled. “Fur today is more affordable and lighter weight. It’s not your grandmother’s mink coat,” Mitchell said.

Co-chair Beckius has a personal connection to the Ronald McDonald House, which has centers across the United States and in many foreign countries. Her family, which includes husband Reggie and their three sons, stayed at a Ronald McDonald House in Wisconsin when her middle son Aaron, then 12 years old, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006.

“We were on top of the world with a nice house, a good income and three healthy kids. Suddenly we had this need that we never anticipated,” said Beckius. At that time, the family was living in Korea where Reggie worked for General Motors. They sought treatment for Aaron in Madison, WI, since they had relatives there and didn’t own a home in the United States.

“It wouldn’t have been the same if we had stayed at a hotel. All of the people that were associated with the House ‘got it.’ They showered us with kindness and love; they knew we just needed a sympathetic ear,” she said. “We left with happy smiles because it was a Ronald McDonald House.”

She was so grateful for their stay (111 days from September through January) that when her family moved to Michigan, they began to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit. For the past four years, her family has been cooking breakfast once a month at the House, bringing all the ingredients to cook from scratch. She says it’s rewarding to provide hope and compassion to families today who are dealing with the serious illness of a child.

For guests at the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, a $10 daily fee is charged for a guest room and use of common areas including a kitchen, laundry room, playroom and entertainment areas. No family is turned away due to a lack of funds.

To RSVP for the Snazzy & Jazzy Holiday Tea, visit www.rmhc-detroit.org or call (313) 745-5909. Cost is $60. Attire is dressy casual or holiday style.