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Kids Help Kids by modeling fashions

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2007

Lithia - Lithia - Kids were in the spotlight Nov. 10 when the Emergency Care Help Organization hosted its fifth annual Kids Helping Kids children's fashion show and luncheon to benefit the nonprofit organization to help feed and clothe needy residents facing emergencies.

Held at the Palmetto Club in FishHawk Ranch, this year's fashion show featured 63 models directed by Cami Gibertini and Kathy Collins with the help of Shannon Carlton, Holly Clarkson, ECHO Executive Director Stacy Efaw, Thomas Gill, Melonie Hall, Lynn Langowski and fashion show chairwoman and emcee Becky Jordan.

To participate in the fashion show, children must raise at least $85 through sponsorships, car washes, bake sales, yard sales and other activities. However, Jordan said most of the children raised much more. This year's top fundraisers were Katie Collins, Kaitlyn Fuson and Haley Gibertini.

The money is used to purchase food, diapers, baby formula, school supplies, shoes, socks and underwear for needy children in the greater Brandon area. The event raised nearly $10,000 each year. This year, the fashion show committee added a silent auction for the first time, netting more than $1,300.

ECHO was established in 1987 by the Brandon Ministerial Association as a nonprofit, nondenominational food pantry for the greater Brandon area. Families and individuals can come to the pantry and clothes closet four times in a lifetime.

This year's fashion show featured a number of five-time models including Uldana Goatley, Harley Campbell, Hannah Efaw and Haley Gibertini, as well as some first-timers.

Emily Graham, 7, a student at FishHawk Creek Elementary School, walked down the runway for the first time because "I want to help other kids." When her brother, Logan, 5, saw a boy on his t-ball team modeling, he asked his mother, Sebrett, if he could model next year.

"I read about it in the newspaper and thought it would be a fun thing for Edmarilys to do," said Magaly Alverio of her 4-year-old daughter who had no problem stepping onto the platform and flashing her dimples at the applauding audience.

"She's never been shy," joked her mother.

Other models were Abby Rose Akers, Regan Moore, Presley Ann Jacobs, Gabrielle Wiska, Lauren Azevedo, Baylee Anderson, Madison Stanley, Kelsey Klein, Shelby and Abby Carlton, Mikayla Akers, Savannah White, Lexy Thompson, Christina Fredrickson, Cameron Bobbit, Brianna Thelig, Summer Smith, Kellie Frederickson, Cassandra Jackowski, Madison Worsfold, Jordan Mitchell, Alexis Klumb, Justin Jurgenson, Katelyn Langowski, Samantha Menard, Bailey O'Brien, Nikki Smith, Courtney Beal, Garrett Thimyan, Ashley Santos, Kaitlyn Thimyan, Canaan Jacobs, Reilly O'Brien, Carrie Gammon, Yaterah McDaniel, Kaleb Blakey, Yael McDaniel, Julia Odiorne, Sawyer Carlton, Rachel Harris, Emma Efaw, Riley Moore, Tayler Caswell, Heather Holt, Ashlynn Blakey, Ya Arah Yarbrough, Y'Lan Yarbrough, Meghan White, Ymari Hickman, Emily Graham, Kye Saunders, Ashliegh Lantry, Jenna Atherton.

For information, call ECHO at 685-0935. ECHO is at 507 N. Parsons Ave. and is open for donations and clients applying for assistance Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

D'Ann Lawrence White is a reporter for the Tampa Tribune

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