Gold Medal Fashion Show draws crowds for NWSRA fundraiser
A unique fundraising event played out last week, that once again drew record-size crowds.
The Gold Medal Fashion Show drew nearly 700 people to jam the Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village, where they found the room alive with colorful pieces of candy.
Organizers this year had decorated the ballroom in the spirit of the Candy Land board game, complete with candy canes, licorice and lemon drops hanging from the ceiling, and on every table.
But more than the decorations, the real draw was the models.
"Just seeing the smile on their faces makes it for me," says Jean LaMantia of Arlington Heights, who has volunteered at the event for the last 10 years. "Hearing about all that they do, and all the sports they compete in, my heart goes out to them."
In all, nearly 40 models took to the runway, dressed in the latest spring fashions from Bloomingdale's at Old Orchard shopping center in Skokie.
Before their debut, they sat for hairstyling by professionals from Best Salon and Day Spa in Buffalo Grove, as well as makeup provided by Lancome associates from Bloomingdale's.
Many of the models were Special Olympic athletes, representing each of the 17 communities in Special Olympics Illinois Area 18, while adults that accompanied them included parents, coaches and mentors.
As each cluster of models mounted the runway, their list of accomplishments and Special Olympics activities was described to the crowd.
Included in the fashion lineup was gymnast Marc Janovics of Mount Prospect, who represented Illinois last summer at the Special Olympics World Games in China. He looked sporty in a Ralph Lauren outfit that paired white pants with a blue and white striped polo shirt under a white V-neck vest.
Janovics walked in the final grouping of models that also featured Matt Kaman of Palatine, who most recently competed in gymnastics and now serves as an athlete board member for Special Olympics Illinois. He wore another Ralph Lauren ensemble that included a pair of black slacks and white shirt, with a black DKNY tie, and all under a brown leather jacket.
Christine Maxwell of South Barrington rounded out the trio, wearing a pair of black knit pants with a black and white striped T-shirt under a black zipped hoodie, all designed by Inc.
Maxwell grew up competing in a variety of Special Olympic events, from gymnastics to snowshoeing, and she serves as a Global Messenger for the organization. She also lives in her own condominium, while holding down a job.
Proceeds from the annual event benefit Northwest Special Recreation Association, based in Rolling Meadows, which funds the training and transportation for the more than 1,100 athletes who compete in events at the area, district, state and national levels, through Area 18 Special Olympics.
Athletes come from throughout the Northwest suburbs to compete, including: Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights, River Trails, Rolling Meadows, Salt Creek, Schaumburg, South Barrington, Streamwood and Wheeling.
Through it all, the Northwest Special Recreation Association, showcases its familiar motto: "Celebrating ability."