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Haute couture comes to the desert
High Heels for High Hopes benefits March of Dimes
BYKRISTINE SANDRICK
The Las Cruces Bulletin
Seventeen high-heeled models take to the catwalk Thursday, Nov. 19, for the second annual High Heels for High Hopes gala, a runway-style fashion show and silent auction to benefit the southern New Mexico chapter of March of Dimes, a nonprofit dedicated to improving babies’ health by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
The Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, 705 S. Telshor Blvd., is the setting for the high-stylin’ event, which will take over most of the first floor of the hotel including the lobby and adjacent ballrooms. Local musician Daniel Park will provide entertainment during dinner and the silent auction.
Silent auction items include a trip donated by Adventure Travel plus jewelry, massage certificates, original hand-painted pieces and food and theater packages “Ticket holders can enjoy a full Italian buffet beginning at 6:30 p.m., then at 7 p.m., VIP ticket holders will be invited to the main ballroom for a pre-show surprise, in-seat champagne service and special gift bags,” said Becky Horner, executive director of the March of Dimes.
Only 40 of the 120 VIP seats were still available at press time.
Doors for the fashion show open for general seating at 7:30 p.m. and DJ “H-Bomb” will spin some tunes while guests find their seats.
Master of ceremonies, Comcast’s Steve Chavira and special guest Ivanna Bump will keep theevening moving.
Business models
The highlight of the show is the 17 models, some of them mothers of babies born prematurely.
Video footage of the models before and during their photo shoot opens the show. Horner said the women have been working with their salons to choreograph and rehearse their stroll down the 60-foot runway The elite group of Doņa Ana County women, nominated for their service and leadership within the community, joined with local salons to raise $70,000 dollars to support research, education and community service opportunities through March of Dimes.
Each woman is committed to raising $3,500 or more – contributing to the $70,000 campaign goal.
“Most of the money raised at this event stays in southern New Mexico, and all of it stays in the state,” Chavira said.
Model Susan Raitt is participating in the show because ofher son Nicholas, who was born prematurely at 32.5 weeks.
“I understand and have lived with a child who has been born prematurely … he is a happy healthy 15-month-old and is hitting all of his milestones,” she said.
“The NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) experience is daunting for both child and parent. My underlying wish is to see Las Cruces have facilities to handle preemies, instead of having to travel to El Paso or Albuquerque to deal withthese issues.” Becky Hernandez said she was honored to help March ofDimes. “At first I thought I did not have time. With working as a part-time dental hygienist, being a mom of two busy teenage girls and a 2-year-old son, and wife and fulltime homemaker, I did not think it was possible,” she said, adding that she looked at her healthy children and realized her family is blessed.
“This is a fun show, but these models have been working very hard to raise money,” Horner said.
Ticket sales help the models meet their goals. Those interested in supporting a model are asked to visit the March of Dimes website, www.highheelsforhighhopes. com. The model raising the most money will earn the “Stiletto Award.” Last year’s Stiletto Award winner was Ann DeBooy, chief nursing officer at MemorialMedical Center.
Chavira born a preemie
This is Steve Chavira’s second year serving as emcee.
“I was a preemie and anyway a preemie can grow up to be a guy like me – it’s a good thing,” he said, “and Comcast has been involved with March of Dimes for a long time.”
He said the event both supports a great cause and showcases the powerful business women who are celebrity models.
“It brings a lot of the business community together to support a cause that’s not in the front of their minds,” he said.
One in eight babies are born prematurely in New Mexico, Chavira said.
Premature birth can happen to any woman and about half of all early births happen for unknown reasons. Many of these babies are so small their lives hang in the balance. Many don’t survive.
Babies born even just a few weeks early are three times more likely to die before their first birthday than full term babies. Others suffer lifelong consequences, such as mental retardation, chronic lung disease and blindness.
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