Teens for Miracles fashion show raises money for Children’s Miracle Network

Sweetheart necklines, cheetah prints and short cocktail dresses were among many of the latest prom styles shown at the fifth annual Teens for Miracles fashion show Sunday.

Proceeds from the event, held at the Best Western Carriage House Inn, 300 Washington St., will go toward assisting local families who seek support of the Children’s Miracle Network of Northern New York at Samaritan Medical Center.

More than $4,000 worth of prom dresses from A Touch of Grace, Watertown, were worn by about 80 young women models, while nearly a dozen young men modeled tuxedos from Nelson’s Dry Cleaning and Formal Wear, Watertown.

“It’s difficult to find dresses that aren’t repeats,” said Kathleen B. Lettiere, owner of A Touch of Grace. “The challenge is finding a dress unique enough for each girl.”

The show brought just that, as young women modeled a multitude of colors, prints, sparkles and hemlines, in sizes ranging from extra small to plus size.

“We aim for models of all sizes, zero to 24, but unfortunately we don’t always get large girls,” Mrs. Lettiere said. “We don’t have enough plus-size models, and I don’t know if they’re afraid to come forward. We have amazing dresses for them.”

Plus-size girls interested in searching for the perfect prom dress, or to sign up to be a model in next year’s charity fashion show, may call Mrs. Lettiere at 788-6164.

Although some young women participants may stop in the store for prom wear in the coming weeks after the fashion show, Mrs. Lettiere said they have grasped the true meaning of the show — raising money for the local CMN affiliate.

CMN Director Jocelyn D. Mejias said about 100 tickets were pre-sold, and more than 200 people attended Sunday’s show.

“It’s bringing the youth and introducing them to philanthropy,” she said. “This and (CMN’s) Dance Marathon is the same thing; they learn about helping others and have fun doing it.”

Last year’s fashion show raised $1,500, but Mrs. Mejias said she is confident the 2012 show will raise much more than that. It was emceed by Miss Thousand Islands 2012 Allison Carlos.

Models were a mix of various local youth and former Children’s Miracle Network support recipients, including both Madison M. Draper, 14, Croghan, and Remi E. Britt, 15, Watertown.

Mrs. Lettiere said Miss Britt, her neighbor, was one of the inspirations she had for organizing the fashion show five years ago. Since the show’s inception, it has raised over $8,000 for the local CMN affiliate. Funds raised for the affiliate stay in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

“My main focus of the show has been to help raise money for CMN,” Mrs. Lettiere said. “I like to help raise self-esteem too for teens, and it’s not about the dress. It’s about their service to the community.”