Fashion night to benefit hospice's children's camps

Paradigm's Main Street store will be crowded with models, fashionistas and philanthropists Thursday night when the Hospice Hundred's "Fashion for a Cause" takes over.

"We wanted to do something fun and different," said board member Laura Almalel.

"Something to attract the next generation to come out."

Hospice Hundred is an auxiliary group to Hospice for the Chesapeake, made up of young and middle-aged philanthropists who raise money for the hospice's bereavement camps for children.

"My heart is to give back to the hospice," said Maggie Griffin-Synowski, who is the event coordinator for Fashion for a Cause and a founding member of Hospice Hundred.

Her father passed away two years ago in hospice care, and she said her experience motivated her to help.

"We've all had a personal experience," Almalel said. She became involved after her husband passed away eight years ago.

She and Griffin-Synowski founded Hospice Hundred in 2006 and have around 100 members.

"It is especially important in these uncertain times to have the wholehearted support of our new generation of philanthropists, the Hospice Hundred," said Erwin E. Abrams, president and CEO of the Hospice of the Chesapeake. "The proceeds from this wonderful event will help ensure that children and teens grieving a loss will have the opportunity to attend Camp Nabi, and to be counseled by our professionals in Hospice of the Chesapeake's Life Center."

Annual membership dues support hospice programs, but the group is about more than fundraising.

"The goal is to fundraise, but it's also awareness," said Jessica Jordan Paret, the owner of Paradigm and a member of the organization and the event committee.

"We do a lot of events that are fun and educational, but not necessarily raising money."

Thursday's fashion show is about raising money, and various business are donating time or services to help.

Around 10 models are volunteering their time through Griffin-Synowski's new organization, PhilanthroChic, and will show off fashions provided by Paradigm and jewelry from Zachary's Jewelers, also located on Main Street, on a runway set up just for the event.

"It's really a lot of the community coming together," Griffin-Synowski said.

It's groups like Hospice Hundred that keep Hospice of the Chesapeake's programs running.

"Community support is a large part of our organization," said Chris Wilson, who handles community and corporate relations for Hospice of the Chesapeake in Annapolis. "I don't think people know the spectrum of services hospice provides."

Errol Daly of Zachary's Jewelers said he knows people who have been helped by Hospice of the Chesapeake.

"You must be involved in your community," he said. "Hospice is a good organization."

Andrea Savvides, the National American Ms. Maryland Teen in 2007, is one of the models and a member of the event committee. She's been volunteering for Hospice of the Chesapeake since she was in Girl Scouts.

"It hits close to home because I've seen my friends go through losing their parents," she said.

She's impressed by the number of models volunteering their time.

"Just the fact that we've had such an overwhelming response," she said.

Fashion for a Cause also includes a silent auction, music, food and cocktails, and organizers are expecting about 150 people.

This is the second year the event has been held.

"We were the first (to have a fashion show)," Almalel said.

The fashion show is from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Paradigm, 179 Main St. Tickets are $100 or $125 for couples. Hospice Hundred members can buy tickets for $75. For tickets or more information, call 443-837-1530.