A view from the event center balcony of the elaborate decorations for the special night.

Over 100 persons attended the first “The Life, The Love & The Passion of Fashion 2015” Saturday evening in the event center at Oakwood Resort, Syracuse. This was the first fundraiser of the year for The Cancer Care Fund of Kosciusko County.

The evening included hor d’oeuvres, cocktails, fashion show and live entertainment. A special guest, Jett Bender Roe, a kindergartener battling leukemia, was scheduled to appear, however, was hospitalized the day before and unable to attend.

The main room of the event center was decorated with white covered tables and elegantly decorated tables by Anderson’s Greenhouse. Centerpieces of replica Eiffel Towers and fresh floral arrangements adorned the 24 tables. Other floral arrangements, on high top conversation tables and on the hor d’oeuvres table, included an ensemble of fresh breads and fruits with decorations.

The evening featured a fashion show in two “courses:” sports and recreation and spring and summer collections, from 17 participating stores. Models, approximately 42 in all, ranged in age from 2 on up.

Off the main hall, a shopping event was held with participating stores displaying a variety of clothes, jewelery, shoes, handbags, accessories, or product information. Twenty percent of all the sales from the shopping event went to CCF. Author Richard Rose was also present selling his latest book “The Lazarus Conspiracies” in which all proceeds went to CCF.

While door prizes were given away, including a large floral arrangement, guests also had the opportunity, via a live auction, to purchase the six Eiffel towers used as centerpieces and a two floral arrangements. The auction of the eight items brought in $2,600 additional dollars for the fund.

Totals are still being tabulated from the evening.

Funds raised for the fund go into the cancer care fund for distribution to friends and neighbors locally to reduce the challenges facing cancer patients and their families by financially assisting them during their fight. The back of a program at each seat included a break down of how funds were distributed between January and March 31, 2015, to 41 clients. During that time over $25,000 was distributed with the majority going toward mortgage payments, followed by utilities, food certificates/supplements, car payments, rentals and gas certificates. Other areas assisted in were wigs/prosthesis, bandages, equipment, car insurance/repairs and prescription medications.

You can learn more about Roe at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/jettbender-roe

To learn more about the Cancer Care Fund of Kosciusko County or to make a donation visit: www.k21foundation.org/cancer-care-fund