Wichita, Kan. – This year’s sold out Fashion Passion raised $451,000 in net proceeds for children with special needs helped through Rainbows. Fashion Passion, a Rainbows United Friends of the Heart event, entertained a packed house of more than 650 guests with a runway show and auction at Textron Aviation Activity Center on Friday, November 17.
Honorary chairs: George & Jocelyne Laham
Event chairs: Janie & Hale Ritchie
Presenting Sponsors: Bradley Fair, Cox Communications, Janie & Hale Ritchie
Platinum Sponsors: Textron Aviation, Spirit Aerosystems, Tony Caputo & LewJene Schneider, Don & Janice Zerbe
Event Sponsors: Colab, Justin McClure Creative, Docuplex Printing Inc
Diamond Sponsors: Emprise Bank, Jim & Jo Walters, Mid-America Orthopedics, Schreck Financial Group, LLC – Gabel Team
Host: Michael Schwanke
Fashion Passion, Rainbows’ signature fundraiser, is one of Wichita’s hottest events! This dynamic night featured DJ Carbon spinning the hits, fashiontini and black label bar cocktails, a silent and live auction like no other and a high-energy runway show. Wichita’s latest fashions were represented on the runway thanks to Bradley Fair and professional runway models from Models and Images. The presenting sponsors for the event are Bradley Fair, Cox Communications and Janie and hale Ritchie. Over 650 attendees enjoyed this event and it’s all done to support children with special needs – because helping children is always in!
Event Chair Hale Ritchie said, “This event is very important in order for Rainbows to continue to provide the high quality services so needed by children with special needs and their families. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” Hale and his wife, Janie shared their personal Rainbows’ story that evening.
A group of Rainbows’ youth surprised the crowd when they appeared and performed on stage, energizing the crowd like never before.
Fashion Passion is orchestrated by a devoted group of volunteers: Friends of the Heart. The purpose of Friends of the Heart is to enrich the lives of the children and families served by Rainbows United through volunteerism, friend raising and fundraising. Become a Friends member today by calling 316.267.KIDS.
Rainbows United served more than 3,500 children birth – 21 with special needs or at risk throughout Sedgwick and Butler last year. Rainbows is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children with special needs and their families by bringing together community resources and providing customized services as they have been for the past 45 years.
