Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/114777
American Girl Fashion Show Combines Beauty with Heart by JANICE BURTON a safe and child-friendly environment where professionals from 19 For five years, Cindy Williams has joined two of her best friends, Julia community agencies work together to interview, investigate and provide Adkins and Carol Jones in putting together the American Girl Fashion support for abused children by reducing the number of interview and Show to support the Child Advocacy. For the women, it's an opportunity providing specially trained personnel to conduct the interviews. In addition to enjoy each other's time while raising funds for a charity that is near and to the hands-on interaction with the children, the CAC provides continuing dear to their heart. More importantly, for Williams, it's an opportunity to education to professionals who serve child abuse victims, as well as serving teach her daughter about giving. as an advocate in the community to raise awareness about child abuse. Her daughter has been modeling in the show for the past five years, and All of that comes with a cost, some of which is covered through state and while this may be her last year in the show, Williams doesn't see it as the federal funds as well as corporate and individual sponsorships. Started as last of her volunteer time with the Child Advocacy Center. a nonprofit volunteer agency, the CAC still "This is something we do together," said depends on support of individuals in the Williams. "She loves to volunteer with me community to fund its programs. That's why each year to put the show together. If she is the American Girl Fashion Show has been not on stage, she is right by my side helping so successful. It lets the community take me get things done. She and her friends ownership of the agency by allowing children have told us (Williams and her cochairs) to provide support for other children. that we have to continue to organize the "The caring these children show is show until they are old enough to take it modeled in the American Girl books," over." explained Williams. "They are so wholesome It is that kind of caring and desire to and show strong role models for girls." give back to the community that Williams Over the years the event has evolved sees the fashion show promoting in the from strictly a showing of the dolls with girls who participate in the event each year. the models to a family event replete withe She explained that there are 141 models special events and refreshments. This year, involved in this year's show, many of whom the number of vendors who participate in have returned year after year. The models, the show has increased. They sell everything all volunteers from within the community, from clothes for the dolls to pretty things work hard to prepare for the show, but for the girls and their moms. The students also in raising funds for the agency. So The American Girl Fashion Show is a national fundraiser designed at Paul Mitchell Beauty School are returning far, they have been very successful. With a around the American Girl books. this year to provide manicures and hairstyles goal of $50,000, last year the show raised for girls and their moms the day of the event. more than $45,000 for the Child Advocacy All funds raised by the school go directly back to the CAC. This year's show Center. "We've been doing this for a number of years and several of the girls, like has a Western theme as it is based on the newest American Girl doll, Sage. "We've changed up the menu and the set is just beautiful," said Williams. my daughter, are aging out. We have a lot of new girls this year," she said, "It's a complete Western theme." "but so many of them come back year after year. It is in their heart to give In addition to the introduction of Sage, the new historical doll being back to the community. It makes me proud to see that in them." unveiled is Caroline. Locals may recognize the doll as it is modeled after The $50,000 goal has been the target for a number of years, and each one of last year's models, Mya Long. Long, who participated in last year's year the girls inch closer to it. show, went to New York to audition for the American Girl company, and "Every year we get higher and higher," said Williams. "This year could was selected as the face of the new doll. be the year." The show is scheduled for Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24 For those not in the know, the American Girl Fashion Show is a national fundraiser designed around the American Girl books. The show, originated at the Crown Ballroom. The event includes elegant refreshments, party favors, raffles and door prizes. Tickets to the event are still available and by the makers of the books and accompanying dolls, is designed to raise can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or in funds for child-centered nonprofits like the Child Advocacy Center. person at the Crown Box Office. VIP tickets with seating The CAC, celebrating its 20th year, has as its purpose alleviating the close to the stage is also available. For more information, "trauma children experience once a disclosure of sexual abuse or serious physical abuse occurs by creating a community of collaborating advocates." visit the CAC website at www. JANICE BURTON, Associate Publisher, childadvocacycenter.com. The advocates come together under the auspices of the agency to Up & Coming Weekly, COMMENTS? coordinate services for child abuse victims and their families by providing editor@upandcomingweekly.com. APRIL 7-13, 2010 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 14 y' ys n ing Weekl Up & Com P LIXOFRP OHEHDXW \HWWHYLO ZZZID Cumberland County Library ary Presents The Big Read d SORED BY HEY! THIS PAPER d et Guide Now e! n Onli 2010 201 m com weekly.com ming www.upandco Fayetteville Bea Y You re You're A G Good an C Charlie B Brown at FSU PROUDLY SPON FUN FAMILY EDUC ATIONAL RESOURCE *HSSF REE Cumberl Focus on VOL. 10 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM OF CUMBERLAND & HOKE CO BELONGS TO: AY 2010 HAPPY MOTHER 'S DAY! CAMP GUIDE INS IDE! 3 9LHZVUZ [V THYRL[ HUK HK]LY[PZL `V\Y I\ZPULZZ ^P[O \Z Pocket Guide 5V^ VUSPUL! ^^^\WHUKJVTPUN^LLRS`JVT MARCH 13-19, 2013 UCW 11