An awaited fashion how that has run nearly two decades returns to Cape Coral next weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Guardian Angels for Special Populations will hold its 17th annual Fashion Show\u00a0on\u00a0March 14,\u00a0at 10 a.m. at\u00a0The Westin Resort and Convention Center.<\/p>\n
The show benefits the Special Populations Center in Cape Coral and features participants who will strut the runway donning outfits of their choice and professional hair and makeup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey look forward to it a lot,\u201d said Special Populations Center Supervisor Milina Park \u201cIt\u2019s one of our largest fundraisers. I can speak on behalf of the participants that go, and they are so excited. Guardian Angels get sponsors so that those participants can keep those outfits that they pick out to wear at the fashion show.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tickets are $75 per person, with the event featuring a gourmet luncheon, live auction, silent auction, grab bags, raffles and games.<\/p>\n
All proceeds help pay for participant scholarships, free and healthy lunches, wheelchair-accessible vehicles and facilities, daily program needs, art and garden therapy and much more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the individuals wouldn\u2019t have services without those scholarships,\u201d Park said. \u201cThey wouldn\u2019t be able to attend a program, make friends, gain those social skills, life skills, daily activities, that they\u2019re involved in now. Guardian Angels does a lot in programming supplies above and beyond the city budget.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Special Populations Center offers a variety of programs for adults and children who have intellectual and physical disabilities. Its mission is to promote independence through exposure, education, experience, and encouragement in a safe, caring environment.<\/p>\n
Organizers expect a crowd of around 400 at the fashion show, with 23 participants from the program modeling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what\u2019s different about our fashion show is that we actually have the individuals that the money is benefiting at the fashion show,\u201d Park said. \u201cSo not only are the models there that are going to be modeling, but quite a few of our participants from the Special Populations Center also come and support their friends, as well as a lot of family members.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you see the whole community come together to support the individuals who are modeling. They\u2019re so proud of what they\u2019re wearing and they\u2019re so excited, and you can see that as they enter the stage and come down the aisle. Everyone\u2019s standing up and cheering. It\u2019s just a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Park said the fashion show does wonders when it comes to building confidence in those modeling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a couple individuals who are very shy,\u201d she said. \u201cSometimes we\u2019ve had to have staff members come up and help them walk up to the stage, and once they get up there and everyone\u2019s clapping and cheering, it really builds up their confidence, and then they\u2019re able to walk off the stage themselves and have that good feeling that you get when everyone\u2019s cheering you on.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Freida B. Smith Special Populations Center is a dedicated facility that provides a variety of programs and services for adults and teenagers with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the goal to promote independence in a safe and caring environment by offering experiences that foster growth, connection, and confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the main things that Special Populations does for the individuals that attend the program is we teach them life skills and to take those life skills and use them in their actual everyday lives and hopefully gain independence, where eventually, maybe they don\u2019t need our program anymore,\u201d Park said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some members work at Pop\u2019s Cafe at City Hall, and some work with the city\u2019s recycling program.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Park said it\u2019s amazing to see the growth from its members.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of the most important things that we, as the staff that work with the individuals every day, to see their progress,\u201d Park said. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing. We always make sure to make sure that those individuals that are making the progress, maybe they don\u2019t recognize that they\u2019ve done it, but we always make sure to give them that recognition so that they know, and to help them see what they can accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\n
Park shared her thanks to Lovely Boutique, which provides the wardrobe at a large discount for the models, as well as Cape Coral Technical College, who has students come in and style the models\u2019 hair and provides makeup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Frieda B. Smith Special Populations Center is at 410 Santa Barbara Blvd.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For additional information about the Guardian Angels for Special Populations, including tickets to the fashion show, visit\u00a0myspecialpops.org<\/a>\u00a0or call (239) 574-0574.<\/p>\n The Westin Resort and Convention Center is at\u00a05951 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral.<\/p>\n