The co-chairs are Darci Jacob (ninth year), Vickie Smith (fourth year) and Carolyn Ford (first year).
Janet Combs
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One of the most coveted tickets during a Sarasota season is to the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center's annual Runway Fashion Show.
Sold out in less than a week, the event March 27 with 650 guests in attendance filled the foyer and ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Many came from out of town to attend the event.
With a theme symbolizing how pieces can be reassembled into something new, the "Kaleidoscope" metaphor was a powerful one.
SPARCC's Treasure Chest is an upscale resale store, and each year this fashion show features pieces that are donated and curated into a cohesive show that is modeled by volunteers from the community. Guests are able to peruse Treasure Chest wares as well before and after the show.
SPARCC's mission is to provide a safe haven and promote empowerment, awareness and social change to end domestic and sexual violence in our community. SPARCC takes the many pieces of its victims-turned-survivors and helps to reassemble them into something new and beautiful. With a heartfelt story told by a survivor during lunch, there was hardly a dry eye in the room.
"I am so grateful for the amazing support from our community regarding a subject that has not always been spoken about, and it proves how hopeful we can be when this many people come together," said Jessica Hays, SPARCC president and CEO.
Co-chairing the event were Darci Jacob, Vickie Smith and Carolyn Ford.
President and CEO Jessica Hays and VP of philanthropy Mary Ellen Mancini
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SPARCC president and CEO Jessica Hays, board Chair Patrick Duggan and VP of Philanthropy Mary Ellen Mancini.
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All the way from New York City is Nicole Waters, who is photographed with Carol Beeler.
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Kathy Bernstein waits for the shopping to begin.
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SPARCC Auxiliary Board member Jackie Frank
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Geri Waksler and Gail Cardillo
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Models Josephine Jurgensen, Janice Gallogly and Yara Kotchutin
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The volunteers are ready to register 650 guests for the much anticipated SPARCC Runway Fashion Show.
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Paige Hauff flew in from Nashville, Tennessee, to attend SPARCC with her aunt, Kimberly Tude Thuot.
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The Hernandez sisters Juliana and Sophia model clothes and hats at the SPARCC Fashion Show.
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Kathryn Ford, Carolyn Castro and Melissa Silva
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Lourdes Guerrero and SPARCC Communications Manager Ning Tinsley stop for a quick photo.
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Model Bambi Forristall wheels her suitcase into the dressing area.
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Stripes for the win with Angie Holahan and Jennifer Reichart.
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Deborah Pelton and Megan Auer Micale attend each year in Ellie Auer's honor.
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Polly Fasick and Mary Ellen Mancini
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Tyler Butler and Rachel Alexandra
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Pam Paterson, Mary Lundeen, Jean Contillo, Joan Reinebach and Vicki Hornberger
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Model Victoria Kasdan wheels her suitcase into the dressing room.
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Susan Mann stops by for a photo on the colorful kaleidoscope of a backdrop.
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Sherril Morse and Alex Nichols
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I already started shopping, said Carolyn Betz.
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Barbara Gardner
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JoAnn Pack, Andee Luther and Nancy Raymond
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Melba Ramirez catches up with friends.
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Rickie Harmon and Bonnie McIntyre
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Ning Tinsley and Cici Couchot
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Gretchen Bauer is not giving up the location of her favorite shopping haunt, but a direction was divulged. She is photographed with friend Kathryn Ross-Nash.
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Kathy Daniels and her niece, Suzette Jones, enjoy SPARCC Runway together each year.
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SPARCC Philanthropy Officer Melissa Ferlazzo and VP of Philanthropy Mary Ellen Mancini take a selfie.
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Darci Jacob and Marguerite Malone
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Susan Erhart, SPARCC President and CEO Jessica Hays and Joan Castellani
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Erin Sleezer enhances the coif of Alisa Craton with some fairy hair.
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Bob Keir, Peter Pike and Steve Grossman
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Balloon artist Jenn Jordan with Tammy Leitsinger and her daughter and survivor, Courtney Leitsinger. This size 8 dress is made from over 200 balloons twisted together.
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Tracey Coakes enjoys shopping at the SPARCC Runway held at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota on March 27.
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Pat Reinhart shows off some baubles that can be found at the SPARCC Treasure Chest.
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Club concierge at the Ritz-Carlton is William Betineli, who coined the phrase "chime time," which is how he alerts 650 guests it is time to enter the ballroom for lunch.
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The always smiling Wilmer Triana pours wine for Rosemary McDermott.
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All the way from Fort Lauderdale to attend the SPARCC Runway is Linda Hoyt, who tries on several purses.
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Terry Brennan-Davis is ready for a kaleidoscope of colors during the luncheon.
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Volunteer Judy Wolff registers some of the 650 guests.
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The runway models are ready for the catwalk.
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Darlene Marks, Katherine Pike, Peter Pike and Melba Ramirez
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Beth Self struts her stuff.
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Katherine Pike in a colorful abstract print.
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Darlene Marks lights up the runway.
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Krystel Beall is radiant in this orange number — complete with matching shoes and bag.
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Faith Adesanya gives it a twirl.
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Jennifer Winkler enjoys the show.
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Krystel Beall rocks the rainbow in any color.
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SPARCC Treasure Chest begins curating for the next show as soon as the current show is over.
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Coordinated in pale pink and coming on strong.
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A model shows off a hat during the SPARCC Runway Fashion Show.
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Faith Adesanya gets her groove on.
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A demure Victoria Kasdan rocks frocks.
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Beth Jacobson models a perfect day to night look.
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Frantic grabs for sunglasses were witnessed as Melba Ramirez came down the runway in her bright beach pink.
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Lids are in — and on — in the SPARCC Runway Fashion Show.
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Guest Charlie Shrem cheers on his wife from the sidelines.
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Eveningwear is plentiful at SPARCC Treasure Chest.
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Krystel Beall on the runway.
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Faith Adesanya in a black sequined jumpsuit with a skirt.
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Faith Adesanya flies down the runway in this backless eveningwear.
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Totally tealed and strappy heeled.
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It would not be normal if meteorologist Bob Harrigan did not present his near perfect headstand when he is out and about, and check out his cool cummerbund.
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Although it is not deployed this dress is a "flying dress" and when thrown properly in a slight breeze it billows out behind the model making for a wonderful photo.
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Melba Ramirez's rocks a wildly pink boa.
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Models take one more spin during the grand finale.
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Faith Adesanya works the crowd.
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SPARCC Treasure Chest is not just for the ladies.
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Sue Constable and Lisa Foster enjoy a shopping spree.
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Danielle Ahrens
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Carol McManus
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JoAnn Heisen purchases a table centerpiece to go.
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Nathalie Gabel grabs a shot on her cell.
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Louise Ginsberg and Malika Apple partake in shopping at the SPARCC Runway.
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Angela Regnier gets a nod of approval from Faith Adesanya on her potential purchase.
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Vickie Smith
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Director of Event Operations Fabian Matute and bartender Andrew Smith fist bump to the successful event.
