First Alcove Fashion Show raises $4,900

Shelby Losco, at left with Alcove Executive Director Mindy Shemtov, organized the event

LINWOOD _ The Alcove Center For Grieving Children and Families first Teen Fashion Show, run by Mainland Regional High School freshman Shelby Losco, filled the banquet room at Linwood Country Club on Sunday, August 24, 2008.

The event raised $4,900 to keep grief support services free of charge to families in the region. More than 350 family members come to free peer support groups at The Alcove after the death of a loved one each year.

Losco, 14, of Linwood, created the event. She arranged for Rissy Roo's to provide girls and women's clothing; Trinkets to provide accessories; and Italian Dimension to provide boys' and men's clothing. All three stores are located in the Cornerstone Commerce building on Route 9 in Linwood.

Animations salon in Ventnor supported the event by doing all the models' hair and makeup free Sunday morning. Several Animations staff members donated their time.


The 35 models who participated in the show, including Jacob Reeses, at left, and Erica Lopez, Sarah Marakos, Gordon Winarick and Jessica Byrnes, above, were from various parts of Atlantic County. One model even traveled from southern California to participate. About 150 people purchased tickets to see the show, or to sponsor Alcove families to attend. Various stores donated auction prizes, including Waldor Orchids, B Fara, Barrels, Linwood Bagels, Mainland Fitness, Euro Color, Glamour Nails, Surroundings, Wrap it Up, P Weees, Italian Dimensions, Rissy Roo's and Trinkets.

The Alcove has a special teen volunteer committee called "Operation Share the Love." The organization hopes the fashion show will become an annual event. For more information on volunteering with The Alcove or on the Operation Share the Love committee, call 609-484-1133.