Presentation of monetary and food donations to YOTO headquarters (left to right): Back row: Carissa McGrath and Bethany Neumann (YOTO); front row: Kathi Krieg and Connie Vaughan (CHHQC), Britney Smith (YOTO), and Sue Obremski (CHHQC)
Connie Vaughan
Caring Hearts & Hands of Quail Creek (CHHQC) held its first Spring Fashion Show on March 1 to raise funds for one of its key charities, Youth On Their Own (YOTO). YOTO is a dropout-prevention program that supports high school graduation and continued success of youth experiencing homelessness in Pima County. More than 300 women from Green Valley and surrounding communities attended. The theme for the fashion show was “Ruby’s, Diamonds, and Pearls.” Ruby Sanders, the designer and owner of Ruby Jane Designs, presented her spring and summer Collections, which were modeled by CHHQC members. Opportunity raffles and a 50/25/25 cash prize supported the fundraising. And, of course, the “Can-Can Girl” made her first appearance to encourage donations of nonperishable food for the YOTO pantry!
The highlight of the fashion show was two YOTO speakers. Bethany Neumann, director of Development and Communications, explained the mission and ongoing success of YOTO, thanking the supportive communities in Pima County such as CHHQC and major donors like Jim Click and Subaru. The second speaker, Luna, an alumnus of the YOTO program, told her story of physical abuse and abandonment by her mother and how YOTO resources swept in and made sure she was safe and had food, clothing, and shelter, along with mental health counseling. Today, Luna has finished school and is a vibrant young adult looking forward to a career in art. There was not a dry eye in the audience, and Luna received a standing ovation for overcoming adversity.
The Spring Fashion Show was a huge success, with a generous monetary donation presented to YOTO, as well as the mountain of canned goods collected for their pantry. Sue Ann Obremski, CHHQC president, stated, “I want to thank everyone who attended for their support of our charities, especially YOTO, and mark your calendars now, as there will be a second Spring Fashion Show in March of 2024!”