Young American Girls Hit the Runway for a Good Cause

Models aged 5 to 11 participated in the  luncheon held at the Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester on Saturday and Sunday. An estimated 1,000 people attended the four weekend fashion shows.

The event was organized and run by the Junior League of Central Westchester, an all-women community service group based in Scarsdale at Wayside Cottage.

The JLCW works in conjunction with American Girl Programs, a division of the retail chain American Girl, in an effort to raise funds for the group’s community service projects to benefit girls 12 and under in Greenburgh, White Plains, Eastchester and Scarsdale.

“It’s very popular and the kids in the neighborhood love it," said Allison Weiss, president of the JLCW. "We received tremendous feedback from the first show that we had. The money is raised for different programs at our league. We have programs that promote early childhood literacy, preventing childhood obesity, feeding hungry children."

Weiss  said that the items sold at the fashion show are donated by local organizations and the proceeds from tickets sales go directly to the JLCW.  Last year the group raised approximately $27,000. They are still tallying up the results for this year.

“Several people donate their services—like Snip-Its Salon in Scarsdale did the models' and dolls' hair," Weiss said. "We have raffles, door prizes, flowers for sale. Not only does this fashion show raise money for our children’s programs, but it also benefits the children who are in the fashion show. It presents them with a wonderful experience to be able to get up in front of an audience and practice their poise and their confidence, so we also feel that we’re doing good for the young children in the community who are the models.

“It’s very exciting for them to put on a costume and walk down the runway—it’s really adorable!”

There are five different junior leagues based in Westchester County and more than  250 junior leagues in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Their mission is to promote volunteerism to underserved segments of the community. 

The league also provides training for volunteers to develop various skills, such as running events, public speaking and working with non-profits, so they can become leaders in civic organizations in the community.

Women have to be at least 18 years old to join. Members who pay dues, but don't actively work on a committee, are called sustainers. The JLCW has 120 sustainers and 120 active members. 

The Westchester chapter also hosts a holiday boutique fundraiser in the fall.

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