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For A Good Cause, Youngsters Do Catwalk

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

dlwhite@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2008

VALRICO - They're not just kidding around.

These young people are serious about community service and their desire to help other kids in need, said Stacey Efaw, executive director of the Emergency Care Help Organization.

That's why more than 60 children and teens age 5 to 18 have been holding yard sales and bake sales, selling lemonade, soliciting donations from Brandon civic organizations and sacrificing their allowances to raise their $125 entry fees to be in the sixth annual Kids Helping Kids children's fashion show.

Headed by chairwoman Cami Gibertini, this year's show will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at River Hills Country Club in Valrico.

"It's become our biggest fundraiser," Efaw said. She noted that ECHO, a nonprofit agency that provides food and clothing to Brandon area residents facing emergency needs, is facing an emergency need of its own because of the economic crisis sweeping the region and the nation.

"It's so great to see these children so committed to helping other children. Some of the models have been with us every year," Efaw said.

One model, Naomi Retter, recently celebrated her 16th birthday. In lieu of gifts, she asked party guests to bring nonperishable foods for ECHO.

Among the retailers providing fashions for this year's show are Bealls, Plato's Closet, JCPenney and Limited Too.

Money raised by the young models will purchase diapers, baby formula, school supplies, shoes, socks, underwear and other supplies for needy children.

Tickets for the event, which include lunch and a silent auction, cost $25 and are available at ECHO, 507 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon. To sponsor the event or donate silent auction items, call (813) 685-0935.

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, in keeping with ECHO's mission to support people through emergencies.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524.

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