Fashion show brings in $51,000 for Special Olympics and athletes

Special Olympics athletes from the suburbs showed Sunday they can be in Gold Medal form on the catwalk, too.

More than 600 Special Olympics supporters attended the Gold Medal Fashion Show at The Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows, presented by the Special Leisure Services Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Northwest Special Recreation Association.

The event, which benefits Special Olympics Illinois Area 18, featured 36 athletes modeling the latest fashions from Bloomingdale's. In addition, more than 50 raffle baskets were distributed. In all, the event raised around $51,000.

Lori Anderson, parent of Special Olympics athlete Billy Anderson, and Kate Stinebring, selling manager for Bloomingdale's Old Orchard, were emcees for the day.

"We applaud and recognize the hard work and dedication each individual athlete exhibits," said Stinebring, "and are proud to give back to the community."

Brian Selders, communications and grants coordinator for NWSRA, said the money raised will pay for athletes' room and board at the upcoming state Special Olympics meet in downstate Bloomington, but mostly it will buy equipment and supplies and expenses related to the planning and implementation of Special Olympics programs and events.

This is the event's 19th year, but the first at The Meadows Club.

"We had a lot of great comments, and the athletes had a great time, and it was really a successful event for us this year," Selders said. "We hope to have an even bigger event next year."

Among the athletes modeling was Nancy Wohlhart's daughter, Cassandra, who wore a black satin suit. The clothing was donated by Bloomingdale's in Westfield Shoppingtown at Old Orchard in Skokie.

"She absolutely loves it, and it makes me feel great that she has that much self esteem and she is not afraid to get up there and do that and be with all her friends," Wohlhart said.

Wohlhart, who lives in Elk Grove Village, said the Barbizon Modeling School helped the children practice walking up and down the catwalk.

"They get the full array of services, just like if it was a fashion show put on by a designer," she said. "The kids have a really good time, and it supports a wonderful organization."

Cassandra, who excels in track and field - she's a gold medalist in long distance events and participates in relay events - also likes snowshoeing. She said she enjoyed being in the show and waving to everyone.

Karen Geraci, a Rolling Meadows resident, said her son Tory, 16, attends Hersey High School and has been an athlete since he was 8. He participates in snowshoeing, basketball, soccer, track and field, golf, bowling, floor hockey and just started power lifting. He has won several medals.

Geraci said she has been on the fashion show committee for the last five or six years but this is the first year she decided he was ready to appear in the show.

"He really enjoyed it," she reported. "He had a great time he said."

As the athletes did their final walk, Tory - sporting an orange polo shirt and polo jacket, golf hat and sunglasses - was playing air guitar on a golf club.

"I just love seeing the kids and how much they enjoy it," Geraci said. "They're just so sweet. And they just really have a good time up there."