The Children’s Memorial Hospital hosted their annual fundraiser to benefit the Pediatrics Intensive Care Unit last Saturday. More than 300 people viewed a fashion show presented by Melrose Alley Boutique at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach, with featured designer Kevin Hall, who designs for many “A-List” celebrities. Proceeds from ticket sales and a silent auction will go directly to Children’s Memorial Hospital as well as 10% of all the profits made from the fashion show. The hospital helps children from a few days old to 21 years old.
The auxiliary provides financial support to Miller Children’s Hospital. Since its inception, the Auxiliary has given more than $10 million though various fundraisers. Founded in 1946, the Children’s Memorial Hospital auxiliary has changed the healthcare for children in the Long Beach area.
Setting the ceremony off was Dr. Christopher Babbit, PICU, who gave a heart-wrenching experience of former patient Elizabeth Guevara. Babbit said, “She was in bad shape, her lungs were falling apart and I didn’t think she was going to survive.” After many treatments, Guevara is a survivor and is now studying to be a nurse.
In tears Guevara showed her gratitude to Dr. Babbit and staff saying, “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. If it wasn’t for the staff of Children’s Memorial Hospital I wouldn’t be here.”
Melrose Alley Boutique showed designs that could benefit the Miller Children’s Hospital. The boutique featured their spring 2009 collection from daywear to evening. They brought along a variety of sizes of each collection that could be purchased after the show.
Plaids and interesting textiles were featured on coats, blazers and suits, but the overall theme colors were black, red and white for the daywear category worn with meticulous, straight clean-cut lines.
Also featured were furs from Edward-Lowell of Beverly Hills. The biggest trends in this line were the hip waist coasts and the inside-out fur coats that varied in length from ankle to waist.
The Kevin Hall evening collection emphasized on leopard and earth-toned textiles accented with jeweled embezzlements. The “Black Tie” segment to his collection displayed simple yet elegant floor length dresses. We didn’t forget about the men in this segment — instead of the average tuxedo, Hall showed men how to do black tie in style. Taking the coined phrase to the literal, he displayed clean classic black suits with a white shirt and a black tie.
At the conclusion of the show Sheila Speer, the owner of Melrose Alley Boutique, was given a special thanks from Children’s Miller Hospital for her donation.
According to Tanya Roberts, media contact, they have not yet calculated the total amount raised from the benefit; however, she did say it was the largest turn out they’ve ever had.
For tickets for next year’s auxiliary event you may contact [email protected] or you may go into the hospital’s gift shop to purchase your tickets.
Sheila Speer, owner of Melrose Alley Boutique, receives recognition from the crowd for her donations to the hospital.
Ricklyn Hukriede is a contributing news reporter and current journalism student at Long Beach City College.